The National Union of Rivers State Students (NURSS) yesterday staged a protest at the Ministry of Education over an alleged failure of the state government to pay the bursary of students of tetiary institutions from the state.
Led by their president, Levi George, the students said the move became necessary as the Commissioner of Education, Prof Kaniye Ebeku had allegedly refused to meet with them despite the series of letters they had written.
He said: "Speaking on behalf of all Rivers State students, the Ministry of Education has consistently refused to meet with us. We have been supporting this administration on activities and initiatives of the Honourable Commissioner of Education. There must be an agreement to work together as the welfare of every Rivers State student is very significant, especially in this period of the pandemic”.
George however commended the Rivers State government on the ongoing renovation of some primary and second schools in the state, including the NECO fees of secondary school students that have been paid.
He however urged the Commissioner to pay attention to Rivers students in tertiary institutions by partnerinv with NURSS to properly address their demands.
He said: "I urge the Commissioner of Education to partner with NURSS to properly secure the welfare of all Rivers State students and have a working relationship with the Ministry of Education. On this note, we stand on our demand that the Rivers State Government should pay the bursary of the Rivers State students as the Rivers State students are going through a hard time, this period of the pandemic”.
The permanent secretary of the Ministry of Education who addressed the students promised to deliver their message to the commissioner.
