The management of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree has dismissed allegations circulating on social media that the institution is operating an illegal Summer School programme through which Higher National Diploma (HND) certificates are allegedly awarded after only a few days of lectures and examinations.
The institution described the claims as false, malicious and unfounded, insisting that its Summer School Programme was duly approved and complies with established academic procedures.
In a statement issued by the Registrar of the institution, Mr. Abiodun Oyedele Oloyede, the Polytechnic said the publication relied on anonymous sources and contained allegations that were not supported by any verifiable documentary evidence.
According to the statement, responsible journalism requires that allegations of such magnitude be backed by credible facts, official records and responses from all parties involved before they are presented to the public.
The management explained that the Summer School Programme was duly processed and approved by the institution’s Board of Studies, which it described as the highest academic organ of the Polytechnic.
It stated that all necessary academic procedures were followed before the programme commenced.
The Polytechnic further clarified that participants in the programme undergo a minimum of eight weeks of lectures before sitting for Continuous Assessment tests and examinations.
According to the institution, the programme is designed primarily for students who missed their regular examinations or those with carry-over courses beyond their normal academic calendar.
The management said it was inappropriate for anyone to politicise education by spreading what it described as unfounded allegations capable of damaging the institution’s reputation.
It challenged anyone with credible evidence of wrongdoing to submit such evidence to the Polytechnic Management, the Governing Council, the Osun State Ministry of Education or relevant law enforcement agencies for proper investigation instead of resorting to social media.
The institution alleged that the claims were orchestrated by detractors opposed to the progress recorded by the Polytechnic in recent years.
It also disclosed that the issue was discussed at the recent congress of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Iree Chapter, where the Rector provided clarifications and referenced similar programmes operated by neighbouring institutions.
The Polytechnic maintained that it has built a strong reputation over several decades as one of Nigeria’s leading polytechnics and urged members of the public to verify information before sharing it.
While reaffirming its commitment to academic standards, transparency and accountability, the management said investigations were ongoing to identify those behind the publication, assuring that appropriate action would be taken
