by anthony anyanwu
The Free education programme for all Imo indigenes declared by the State Government for tertiary institutions in the State might have become a thing for gambling (Kalu,kalu) following reports available to the Imo Trumpeta
Reports filtered in that the free education programme might have been designed not to benefit all Imolites in theImoStateUniversityand the Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo. This is contrary to the promise of Governor Okorocha who assured that all Imolites in these tertiary institutions will benefit from the programme and entitled to a token periodically.
Imo Trumpeta checks revealed that in some communities of the State, beneficiaries of the programme were selected in a gambling fashion, otherwise known as kalu kalu.
In Umuanunu, Obinze, in Owerri West LGA, the mode of selection for beneficiaries was done in manner which left tongues wagging and attracted series of complains.
Some of the aggrieved students of Imo Poly who spoke to Imo Trumpeta said they were told to dip their hands into a small container containing wrapped pieces of paper and pick one of the pieces.
‘If you pick yes, you have qualified to benefit from the programme, if you pick the one written no, you loose out entirely’ one of the students who pleaded anonymity told Imo Trumpeta.
This development has continued to generate uproar from students of Imo origin in these institutions. While some say it is preposterous for Government to say another thing and do another, arguing that the impression being bandied about the free education policy is that it for all Imo Students in IMSU and IMOPOLY.
‘Any thing contrary to this is deception’ one of the students who picked no from the process told the Imo Trumpeta.
Efforts to speak to the Education Commissioner on the issue was futile as at press time