Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri Alumni Association has condemned the recent violent protest by students of the institution on their flimsy claim that the school management banned female students visiting male hostels beyond seven in the evening.
The students also claimed that school fees were increased, in addition to, lack of regular electricity supply to the institution which sparked off their protests.
In a release to newsmen, signed by the Publicity Secretary, Comrade Sam C. Iheakanwa, National Secretary, Hon. Charles Ejiogu and National President, Chief J.B Ugochukwu, the association urged the students to maintain the credible legacies which past students have upheld over the years and not resort to rubbishing the image of the institution through violent behavior.
The release stated that the Alumni on investigation revealed that the school management had only charged students N3,000.00 for NCE and N6,000.00 for final year degree students to cover for their professional registration as professional teachers payable to Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria.
According to the release, it is in the students interest as it is a sine qua non for employment as a teacher.
It is not enough for their claim to justify what it called the level of violent protest which erupted stressing that the students never explored opportunities and unhindered channels to express their grievances in a more civilized manner through dialogue with the school authority.
The release stated that since they had not started exams and students who could not pay their fees, barred from taking exams, the anger and demonstration was uncalled for.
According to the ALUMNI, the issue of poor electricity supply remains a common phenomenon and as such students should have managed to write their exams and end the session.
It therefore urged students of the institution to be above board, being ambassadors of discipline to keep the school’s environment conducive for learning and remain a model for teacher education institution.
The release commended the leadership of the Provost, Mrs Blessing Ijioma for the infrastructural development in the college which it said is unprecented since the college came into being.
On the destruction and looting of college property, the release noted with the present hardship and economic recession, the level of destruction is condemnable.
The release appealed to the college management to set up machinery to look into the problem and reopen the college soonest for the sake of innocent ones.
It also urged management to fish out the culprits for disciplinary measures to maintain sanity in the college.
