Students cry out over poor conditions at ESCOTECH

DDM News

Enugu State College of Health, Oji-River (ESCOTECH), has come under scrutiny following a recent visit by the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Joint Campus Council (JCC) Enugu State.

The visit revealed alarming deficiencies in infrastructure, security, and academic resources, prompting an urgent call for government intervention.

During the tour, the Secretary-General of NANS JCC Enugu State, Comr. James Emmanuel, engaged with students who expressed deep frustration over the deteriorating state of the institution.

Despite paying tuition and other fees, students at ESCOTECH continue to endure harsh learning conditions due to the absence of essential amenities.

Among the most pressing concerns is the lack of basic infrastructure.

The college does not have a functional school hall, a reliable water supply, or well-equipped laboratories.

Students in health-related fields, who require hands-on training, struggle with inadequate laboratory facilities, making it difficult to gain practical experience.

Security at ESCOTECH is another major issue.

Reports of sexual harassment, theft, and vandalism have become commonplace, leaving students in constant fear.

Female students, in particular, have raised concerns over harassment by outsiders, while cases of stolen laptops, phones, and other valuables have been on the rise.

The institution’s inadequate security measures have left students vulnerable, with no clear strategy to curb these incidents.

The state of hostels at ESCOTECH further compounds the problem.

Many students are forced to live in overcrowded rooms, often housing up to eight individuals without proper beds.

Basic amenities such as fans, toilets, and even doors are missing in some hostels, raising serious concerns about hygiene and comfort.

The lack of privacy and ventilation creates an unhealthy living environment, affecting both students’ well-being and academic performance.

Additionally, the college faces an academic crisis due to a shortage of lecturers.

Many courses remain untaught for extended periods, leaving students struggling to keep up with their studies.

The absence of enough qualified educators has slowed down academic progress, with students fearing it could affect their ability to graduate on time.

In response to these pressing issues, NANS JCC has issued an urgent appeal to the Enugu State Government, the Commissioner of Health, and the Commissioner of Education to take immediate action.

The association insists that the government must prioritize the improvement of ESCOTECH by providing adequate infrastructure, enhancing security, and recruiting more lecturers to ensure a better learning environment.

“This situation is unacceptable.

Students of ESCOTECH deserve a conducive environment where they can study and thrive.

We are calling on the authorities to intervene without delay,” Comr. James Emmanuel stated.

The students’ union also extended its appeal to the Enugu State House of Representatives, the State Police Command in Oji-River, and the Provost of ESCOTECH, urging them to take swift measures to address the crisis.

The association emphasized that it would not relent in advocating for the rights and welfare of ESCOTECH students until significant improvements are made.

As the call for reform grows louder, all eyes are now on the Enugu State Government to respond to the plight of students at ESCOTECH.

With the future of many young Nigerians at stake, stakeholders are hopeful that concrete steps will be taken to restore the institution to a standard befitting a higher education establishment.

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