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Students of the Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, in the Aniocha South Local Government Area of the state on Wednesday shut down academic activities over an increment of school fees and introduction of new charges by the school management.

The students also protested against the ban on students driving private vehicles onto the polytechnic premises, as well as the alleged harassment of students on colour attachment.

The angry students stopped the Rector of the polytechnic, Prof. Stella Chiemeke, academic and non-academic staff, from gaining access into the school around 9am.

One of the students, who did not want to be identified, said the school management introduced a new course for final year students.

According to him, the school management demanded that the students register the course with N7,000 as the price for a textbook, which stirred anger among final year students in the National Diploma and Higher National Diploma Programmes of the polytechnic.

The source alleged that the new textbook price was added to the school fees, as the management worsened the situation by closing the school portal.

“Aside from that, we were also asked to pay N4,500 for COVID-19. The school did not give us face masks and hand sanitisers, with no water to wash our hands, why will the management ask us to pay such a huge amount?

“Our classes are jam-packed, exposing us to higher risks of contracting the deadly Coronavirus disease, as there are no preventive measures for students,” he added.

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Contacted, the poly rector, Chiemeke, said, “Allow us to do our work; we have to calm the situation before you interview me, thank you.”

The state Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Patrick Muoboghare, said the issues would be resolved.