ETUSL Eases Burden On Students

The Administration of the Eastern Technical University of Sierra Leone has on Tuesday 30th July 2024 eased burden on students writing the Second Semester Examinations.
It could be recalled that students who failed to have paid their tuition fees and extra charges weren’t allowed to write the second semester examinations at the start of the examinations.
The Registrar of ETU-SL Mr. John Juana said the university had resolved relaxing the enforcement of the tuition fees payment following an urgent engagement between the university administration and Members of Parliament from Kenema district. “Fees collected are used for salary payment of staff members who are not on the Accountant General’s Payroll, internal allowances and above all payments to service provides.”
He mentioned that the institution could only embark on development if there are available finance.
He pointed out the university heavily relies on fees for its smooth operation and urged students to fulfil their own financial obligation. “We are in a contractual agreement we have fulfilled our part it is now left with students to do theirs by paying their fees” he noted.
The unreserved lobby power of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Technical and Higher Education represented by Hon. Ibrahim Koroma, a member of Parliament representing Kenema District commended the university administration for relaxing it’s fee payment policy before attempting the second semester examination. He said, allowing students to take examination would significantly impact their academic progress and future opportunities. He thanked the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor and Principal for honouring the negotiations put forward by the Oversight Committee. He cautioned students who have been given the opportunity to write so they don’t use it wrongly. “When you are writing this exam it does not mean you do not need to pay we have spoken on your behalf to administration to allow you write the second semester examinations but we are expecting that you too uphold your own obligations,” he concluded.
The administration, amidst financial difficulties faced agreed with the committee and therefore stated that all tuition fee payments must be made on or before the 30th August 2024 or scripts wouldn’t be marked and no grade will be submitted for publication.
This left students with joy and commended administration and government for the efforts they’ve made in ensuring that they write their examination.
By: Augustine Amara Kanneh
PRO, Eastern Technical University of Sierra Leone.