THE RUSTICATED, EXPELLED UNILAG UNDERGRADUATES
The
last time I checked, the highly revered University of Lagos (UNILAG) was
wearing a new look owing to the recent sanction issued to some of its students
in various departments. Penultimate two weeks, it was reported that the
institution’s authorities rusticated as well as expelled, respectively 198 and
125 undergraduates of the citadel. Since the incident occurred, within and
outside the shores of the campus could be best described as hot zone.
I
could recollect vividly; those days when we were in the university, Federal
University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) precisely, as undergraduates, I used to
crack an expensive joke amidst my friends. And the joke went like this: ‘If you
wake up tomorrow morning and peradventure discovered that you have been
expelled from this university, what would be your prayer or reaction
consequently especially if you don’t deserve the expulsion?’ it was really a
controversial question that usually kept my friends in an abrupt sober mood
each time it surfaced. The people in question were all serious-minded and
brilliant students, so they couldn’t fathom the reason for the so-called joke.
However, it’s noteworthy that the
students of UNILAG affected by the disciplinary measure were accused of
examination malpractices among other social vices. According to the
University’s Deputy Registrar on Information, Mr. Toyin Adebule who confirmed
the expulsion and estimation to newsmen in Lagos on Sunday 16th
October 2016, the action was in accordance with the citadel’s zero tolerance on
malpractices and other vices on the campus.
He said ‘for those who were caught
impersonating, writing examinations for others, they will face outright
expulsion.’ Whilst the other categories, such as those caught with micro-sheets
and those caught smoking weeds (Marijuana), would face suspension ranging from
two to four semesters. Mr. Adebule further disclosed that the University would
continue to do all it could toward sustaining set standards and best practices
as obtained in other top universities around the world. He equally clarified
that the development had nothing to do with those involved in the recent
students’ riot that took place in the institution.
Now, back to my joke; as a student of a
higher institution, you woke up one morning and realized that your name had
been delisted from the citadel’s studentship database. How would you feel, or
what would be your reaction/prayer in consequence to the ordeal? One question
too many, I guess. No doubt, it would be really painful and devastating for one
whom didn’t deserve the sanction. But, could someone be erroneously rusticated
or expelled from an institution of learning? Such approach, to me, is seemingly
far-fetched. Hence, it’s beyond possibility for authorities of a university to
sanction their students in error.
In view of the above logic, I want to believe
that the affected UNILAG undergraduates were apparently caught in the act. Besides,
neither has any of them claimed that s/he was not responsible for the act for
which he was accused of. Rather, they had only protested that the punishment
assigned to them was too severe compared to the nature of the vices allegedly
committed. Their protest is really funny and laughable. Expulsion or
rustication never started today, nor recently; it has been an available
mechanism ab initio, and often occasioned by exam malpractices as well as societal
vices to include cultism, rebellion, and what have you, as the case may be.
My
sympathy goes to their parents and guardians. As much as I share their pains
and fury, I equally want them to use this opportunity to address some lingering
anomalies in their respective homes. It’s obvious that, for some time now,
several uncalled attitudes of most of our young ones have been harboured by
their various parents/guardians. It’s not anymore news that most students in
secondary schools across the country no longer write the Senior Secondary
Certificate Examinations (S.S.C.E) by themselves, rather they prefer to engage
mercenaries. It’s even more worrisome to acknowledge that the schools are the
prime advocate of the menace. Funnily enough, it would interest, perhaps shock
you to observe that most of the impostors are virtually brainless individuals
who parade themselves as kings just to defraud the unsuspecting candidates.
Few
months ago, the news of a certain undergraduate of the University of Ilorin who
voluntarily withdrew his studentship owing to guilty conscience, went viral
across the nooks and crannies of Nigeria. It was gathered that, having embraced
real repentance, the student thought it wise to withdraw his studentship to
enable him rewrite his SSCE, which according to him was written on his behalf
by a hired mercenary.
His purpose was to start the journey
afresh having realized that he had derailed. The moment I got the news, I was
of the view that if other Nigerian youths of similar history could follow suit,
probably about eighty-six per cent (86%) of the undergraduates in our various
institutions of higher learning would be affected. I was trying to assert that
virtually all the undergraduates in Nigeria’s institutions are fake. I enjoin a
sceptic to carry out the research toward ascertaining the credibility of the
hypothesis.
Let’s
not get it twisted. The fact remains that the country’s education sector is
damn porous and pathetic. Only a genuine and drastic measure can redress the
pitiable physiognomy of the said sector. And such approach must begin from the
nursery cum primary level, which remains the foundation. It’s either we heal
the injury now or allow it to deteriorate further. It’s more mind-boggling to
realize that the people who are required to revive the sector are patronizing
foreign education.
Away
from the students; the teachers must also be resuscitated, considering that
most present days’ teachers are nothing to write home about. Aside the
non-qualified ones, the existence of those that indulge themselves in all forms
of vices is even more baffling. It’s no longer hidden that some of the teachers
in all levels of learning end up molesting their students. In the higher
institutions, some lecturers would persuade the female students to sleep with
them or consider failing their courses. Payment, either in kind or cash, in
exchange for grade popularly known as ‘sorting’, is now on the rampage.
These are other critical areas the
authorities of various higher institutions of learning need to look into
towards doing the needful. The disciplinary measure must not be lopsided. Our
education industry is yearning for a total turnaround, and not haphazard. Let’s
do the much we can to ensure that the said industry does not go into
extinction. I’m afraid, if we cease to act now, we’ll all live to regret it.
To
this end, the newly passed Sexual Harassment Bill, which prescribes five years
imprisonment for any lecturer found guilty, ought to be assented to in earnest
by the Presidency. Though, the five-year jail term would have been extended to
twenty or thereabouts. However, people in some quarters have criticized the
bill, saying it is one-sided; according to them, most times these lecturers are
seduced into committing such atrocity. The truth is that, no amount of
seduction or pressure is a good reason for a teacher to descend so low. Think about
it!
Comr. Fred Doc Nwaozor
Follow: @mediambassador
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