5,500Gh For An Empty Room” – USTED Students Kick Against Spiking Hostel Fees And Poor Conditions.

For many students, university is supposed to be about lectures, learning and growth. But for students of the University of Science and Technology Development, USTED, in the Ashanti Region, the biggest test is surviving the cost of accommodation.

With hostel fees jumping by more than 60% and facilities they describe as unsafe and empty, students say they are being priced out of campus life.

The students say what is being called a “hostel” is nothing more than four walls and a bed, yet the fees keep climbing with no improvement in conditions.

According to the students, hostel fees which used to be 3,400 cedis for two students in a room have now shot up to 5,500 cedis. That amount, they say, includes electricity bills.

For students who want to stay alone, the cost goes as high as 6,500 cedis.

“Initially we were paying 3400 for two people.

Now they are collecting 5500 with light included. If you want to be alone in the room, you pay 6500.

There is nothing in the room apart from the bed. Nothing.”

Beyond the cost, students are also raising safety concerns.

They say the hostel buildings are old, not renovated, and not safe for habitation.

They allege that despite the increments, no renovation works have been done in the facilities.

“The hostel owners should renovate the building because it is not safe.

There is nothing in the room, only bed. The place is not okay for us to stay.”

The students say the increment is putting pressure on their parents, with many unable to afford the new charges.

Some, they added, are now forced to commute long distances, which is disrupting academic work.

“The hostel fees is really affecting us. Our parents cannot afford it.

It is even disturbing our academic work because some of us now have to travel far to come to school.”

The students are calling on the USTED management, hostel owners, and the Ministry of Education to intervene and regulate hostel fees to make accommodation affordable and safe.

They are also demanding proper monitoring to ensure that any fee increment comes with improved facilities.

Story by Bismark Mensah@A/R.