The principal of the University of Nigeria Secondary School, Nsukka Campus, Mr Uche Adama, has reportedly been suspended over alleged admission racketeering. Adama was alleged to have been admitting secondary school students that did not meet the school’s requirements.
An insider, who does not want to be mentioned, told THE WHISTLER that an interim management to run the school has been constituted by the authorities of the university while the embattled principal is being investigated.
The admission guideline of the secondary school, seen by our reporter, shows that admission forms are sold to prospective candidates for JSS 1 and SS 1 classes at the beginning of each academic session. There is another form for JSS 2. Afterwards, entrance examinations are written. The secondary school also has provisions for supplementary examinations. Thereafter, the result is released. Candidates whose names are not published failed the exam.
Inquiries by our reporter show that many students are admitted without passing the entrance examinations. “There are students that failed the entrance examinations but were admitted,” says a teacher on condition of anonymity to avoid victimisation. “The principal is the last bus stop and he determines everything after the normal admission. That is the much I can say.”
Some parents that spoke with our reporter confirmed that some students are admitted through the back door.
“The entrance examination is highly competitive,” a parent identified as Paulinus said. “The school runs Class A to Class Z, and all the classes are filled with students. The number of applicants that usually fail is more than those that are admitted. Somehow, influential parents of those that failed would meet the principal for negotiation. He has a standard charge: N60,000 and three plastic chairs. It has been the practice over the years. Whether it’s official or not, only the insiders can tell.”
Another parent, who refused to be mentioned, said the principal claimed that the university management was aware. “The amount and the chairs are what one provides to be given admission. Many people I know are schooling there without their names published among those that passed. Many that passed, but failed to register at the stipulated time, are often short-changed to create a vacuum for commercialized admission racketeering.
“I thank the vice chancellor for wading in. We shall also be glad to know the outcome of this matter. The university secondary school runs multiple accounts with UNN Microfinance Bank. There should be thorough investigation.”
He added that the principal was capitalising on the rush for admission into the secondary school to exploit the system. “No parent wouldn’t want his children to attend that secondary school because of the quality of the teachers. It is also cheap. It costs N70,000 or thereabouts per term, though students whose parents are non-staff pay more. It’s rare to find a graduate of that secondary school that won’t pass JAMB with ease.”
Agha Inya, the Public Relations Officer of the university, did not respond to inquiries sent to him to ascertain the position of the university on the alleged admission racketeering.
