A group of Nigerian students have been asked to leave the United Kingdom over their inability to pay their tuition fees. BBC reports.
According to BBC, the Teesside University students lamented that the devaluation of the Naira made it difficult for them to pay their tuition. And as a result, the breach of visa sponsorship requirements.
BBC reports that as a result, some of the students were blocked from their studies They were reported to the Home Office, and ordered to leave the UK.
The report stated that the university claimed it had no choice but to take the action, citing strict external regulations.
“The affected students have, however, expressed their distress and disappointment. They feel that the university was being “heartless” and not providing adequate support, BBC said.
However, the group of 60 students, who chose to share their names with the BBC, banded together. They urge the university to offer support after several of their peers faced severe consequences for defaulting on payments.
“These students were abruptly locked out of their university accounts and forcibly withdrawn from their courses,” BBC said.
“One of the students, who was close to graduating, Adenike Ibrahim, had her visa revoked. She was told to leave the country, despite having paid 90 per cent of her tuition.
“I did default [on payments], but I’d already paid 90 per cent of my tuition fees. And I went to all of my classes,” Ibrahim told the BBC.
“I called them and asked to reach an agreement. But they do not care what happens to their students.
“It has been heartbreaking for my son, especially. Since he has been in so much distress since I told him,” Ibrahim added.
Another affected student, Esther Obigwe, had been struggling with depression due to the situation, BBC reported.
She claimed she repeatedly tried to speak to the university about her financial struggles but received no response. Until she was blocked from her studies and received notice to leave the country.
“I attended all of my classes and seminars. I’m a hell of an active student. It is disheartening. I am now on antidepressants and being here alone, I have nobody to talk to,” Obigwe said,
“For over two months, I’ve barely eaten or slept. And I don’t understand why this is being meted at us. We didn’t do anything wrong,” she said.
Jude Salubi, is a student pursuing a degree in social work. He was suddenly informed that his access to the university would be suspended. And that he would be required to leave the country. That is despite being in the middle of a critical placement.
Salubi said he commuted from Teesside to Liverpool every weekend. Working 18 hours to try to settle his outstanding fees, BBC said.
“As of now, I have paid £14,000 and have a balance of £14,000. I am willing to agree as to how I will make this payment. But I need guarantees that I will be re-enrolled into school and my visa restored,” he said.
A university spokesman, quoted by BBC said, “Teesside University is proud to be a global institution with a diverse student population. But is also very aware of its obligations regarding visa issuance and compliance.
“These strict external regulations ensure that the university fully supports a robust immigration system and is outside of the university’s control.”
The spokesman acknowledged that the university was aware of the financial struggles faced by some students. And had, therefore, proactively offered customized payment plans to those who had requested them.
source: Punch
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