Violent protests by Students of Kwara State College of Education Ilorin on Wednesday over plans by the authorities to disallow those who defaulted in school fees payment from participating in the semester exams which commenced yesterday led to indefinite closure of the institution.
Adducing reasons for the closure of the college, Acting Provost of the school, Dr Ayinla A. Jimoh in a statement said that the irate students damaged the personal vehicle of the Deputy Provost (Academic).
Dr Jimoh added that the over 500 students yet to pay their school fees spearheaded the protest “despite the intervention of the commissioner.”
Said he: “We had agreed to allow the defaulting students take part in the examinations based on the intervention of the commission.
” Rather than to appreciate the commissioner’s gesture the student went on rampage.
They started throwing stones, sachet water and others things at us. as I am talking to you we have closed down the college indefinitely.
“As par the salary arrears, the state Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq met with the college academic staff last week and promised to pay the
salaries promptly.
The governor gave his words. That informed the
decision of the staff not to boycott the examinations.”The statement said.
Displeased by the management’s plan, scores of the defaulting students were said to have gone on rampage destroying and damaging property on
sight.
It was gathered that in the process, the students allegedly hauled stones, sachet water and missiles at some members of staff and their properties.
Vanguard reliably gathered that the decision to shut the institution, was to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
It was also gathered that the Commissioner for Tertiary Education Dr Afeez Abolore, personally intervened but the angry students were
undaunted.
It was gathered that members of the College Academic Staff Union had earlier in the day met not to participate in the examinations as a protest against none payment of their one and half months old salary arrears.
