Addressing the Burden of Expensive Textbooks: A Plea from UNN Students

The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), is an esteemed institution renowned for its dedication to academic excellence and the holistic development of its students. However, a growing concern among UNN students has sparked a discussion about the financial strain caused by the high cost of textbooks, often assigned by lecturers for their courses.

In recent times, students have been expressing their grievances about the exorbitant prices of textbooks, with claims that some lecturers are indirectly using them to supplement their income. The cost of textbooks has escalated to the point where it is becoming a substantial financial burden for students and their parents. It's important to acknowledge that UNN students are not the culprits responsible for the economic challenges in Nigeria. The entire nation is grappling with tough economic circumstances. As such, the practice of placing an undue financial burden on students through mandatory textbook purchases is viewed as unfair.

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In response to this growing concern, many UNN students are calling upon the Student Union Government (SUG) to intervene. The SUG president, as the voice of the student body, is seen as the conduit for conveying these concerns to the school authorities. The students' appeal is straightforward: they are urging the SUG president to approach the university's administration and advocate for a more equitable solution. The proposed solution suggests that if a lecturer deems it necessary for students to purchase a specific textbook, it should be done through the management. The management, in turn, would ensure that these books are made available in the campus bookshop at a reasonable cost.

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This approach seeks to balance the financial interests of students, lecturers, and parents. It aims to eliminate situations where students are compelled to spend significant sums of money on textbooks that may not be readily affordable. It's important to emphasize that textbooks play a crucial role in a student's academic journey. However, the current situation at UNN appears to be causing unnecessary financial hardship for students, some of whom are working tirelessly to make ends meet in a challenging economic environment.

As the debate continues, the hope remains that a balanced solution will be reached, one that ensures quality education is accessible to all UNN students while also respecting the financial challenges that many students and their families are facing.