JAMB CUT-OFF POINTS AND THE DELIBERATE BASTARDIZATION OF OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM: WHEN SILENCE IS NO LONGER GOLDEN

BEING THE TEXT OF PRESS ADDRESS BY AROSOYE AYOKUNLE S., NANS NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF CAMPUS AFFAIRS ON THE 23RD OF AUGUST, 2017.

Gentlemen of the Press!

Revolutionary greetings from the ranks and files of the National Association of Nigerian Students' (NANS), which is the apex Students' Body in Nigeria and largest in Africa.

In as much as we don't want to believe the authenticity of the news flying around the country on the appalling reduction of JAMB CUT-OFF points for admissions into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions to 120, 110 and 100 for Universities, Higher Degree Institutes and Polytechnics respectively; it becomes imperative to lend a voice to the ongoing national debate.

NANS as a pressure group saddled with the responsibility of protecting the interest of Nigerian students viz-a-viz better welfare, qualitative and affordable education, hitch-free academic calendar among others; we condemn and reject in its totality this rather unfortunate and of course avoidable decision of JAMB.
This is not to antagonize the lower graded students from gaining admission but for us to set the record straight and let them (the students) see that this is another hanky panky of the bourgeoisie to extort our vulnerable admission seekers.
It is a slap on our collective intelligence that one of the country's agency that is supposed to uphold the sanctity and integrity of our educational sector is the same doing everything possible to finally destroy the already dilapidated system.
We are positing without fear or favour that the decision/position of JAMB was made in bad fate without proper consultation of appropriate bodies and consideration for the nation's future.

We are equally aware of the concomitant plot of the ruling class to kill public education through underfunding, unreasonable policies and cash and carry admission process, all which we are ready to resist any attempt to further denigrate our ivory towers to the lowest elb.

Without much ado, we are sounding a note of warning to JAMB to as a matter of urgency and necessity, rescind the decision, and the government to:

1. Speedily hearken to the demands of ASUU, ASUP, COEASU, NASU, SSANU, NAAT, and other Unions;

2. Invest heavily in the educational sector by at least implementing the UNESCO 26% budgetary allocation to education;

3. Expand the already existing Tertiary Institutions to accommodate the teeming admission seekers, and if possible, establish more institutions;

4. Stop all tertiary Institutions from extorting admission seekers all in the name of Post-UTME;

5. Immediately call for a state of emergency in the educational sector.

As we look forward to a prompt and positive response, we want to remind all concerned authorities that "Peace is not merely the absence of war but the presence of justice, of law, of order - in short, of (good and progressive) government." Albert Einstein.

If we must develop and prosper as a nation, we cannot continue like this.

Education is a Right and not a Privilege.

Long live Nigerian Students!
Long live NANS!!
Long live Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!

Aluta cultivated! Victoria harvested!!

Signed:
Comr. Arosoye Ayokunle (KASPA)
NANS, National Director of Campus Affairs
08035363878