The students of the federal polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, embarked on a peaceful demonstration, calling for the replacement of the Rector, Rev. Engr Dr. Micheal Chidiebere Arimanwa.
Due to unrest which took place on Tuesday, 8th December 2020, the management has directed that students should vacate the campus on Christmas break/holiday latest by 4:00 pm on Wednesday, 9th December 2020.
According to an eye witness who spoke anonymously, a mini protest ensued on Tuesday at about 1:10 pm after students were refused from partaking in the ongoing computer-based exam. The protest became full-blown on Wednesday when a memo circulated that the exam has been suspended indefinitely and that students should vacate the school premises that same day.
Students annoyance also ensued from the fact that they were allowed to write other exams that were not computer-based even when they have not completely paid their school fees but were denied access to the computer-based exam which also means that all the exams they have written so far, hangs in the balance since they face the risk of their results not been uploaded to the school result portal.
The report reaching us is that about 70% of the students were denied from taking the examination due to failure to pay school fees. The eye witness informed us that upon school resumption, a memo was passed that the school exams will be computer-based and that only those who have fully completed their school fees will be allowed to take the exams.
Our eye witness also stated that the students initially thought it was faux when the school announced that they plan to make their examinations computer-based but later on made only the English language computer-based.
This is the first time the polytechnic will be operating a computer-based examination and the issue of the computer-based exam due to failure to pay fees is a recent development.
More updates coming soon.
