'Sorting' on our Campuses

‘SORTING’: SOCIO-ECONOMIC VIRUS ON OUR CAMPUSES

Grammatically, sorting can be defined as an act that involves the arrangement of things into groups according to their common features or characteristics. On other hand, in respect to the above topic, it’s a way through which the tertiary schools’ students give what they have, either in kind or cash, in exchange for what they want or desire.

For many years now, this ugly trend has been occurring on our various campuses and has created a very big vacuum on our socio-economic platform. The cankerworm can occur through so many avenues based on the lecturer’s choice(s).

Most times, the concerned students would be ask to pay some certain amount through the Personal Assistant (PA) to the lecturer. Or, in some cases, the lecturer may decide to collect the money through the course/class representative (‘rep’). The method of disclosing the P.A, whom would definitely be a student at the higher level, to the students might be through a direct or indirect means. The lecturer may ask the concerned students or any student that happens to meet him for ‘sorting’ to see a particular student by disclosing his/her name, department and level to them. Or sometimes, if the lecturer wants to make a general and indirect notice, he’d never leave a class without mentioning the name of a student at the upper level as the best student in his course; on this note, the informed students would definitely like to meet the so-called best student with the interest of finding out the secret behind making a good grade in the lecturer’s course.

Then, the route through which the students dream would be actualized might take different dimensions after he/she must had paid the required sum of money; and such payment would be made few days after the exam has been taken. The exam would be written for the student(s) in absentia on a different answer script(s) by the PA(s) to the lecturer, after they (the problem students) must had sat for it during the usual exam period. The purpose of sitting for the exam is to ensure that his/their name(s) is/are written on the attendance list, and also, to avoid any future problem/query. In some cases, if there are insufficient answer scripts, the concerned students would be asked to steal some of the unused answer scripts at the examination hall during or immediately after the exam. This method of writing the exam on a different exam script is to make a tangible reference in future; peradventure, if any problem occurs, the lecturer could prove beyond any reasonable doubt that the students in question deserved the grade allocated to them. And, the advantage of this routine to the serious students is that, they’d stand to make the respective grades they deserve because other/their scripts would never be tampered, rather, the lecturer would take time to mark all the scripts. But if a lackadaisical lecturer is involved, he may decide to allocate excellent grades to the students that had sorted for his course, without rewriting the correct answers on different answer scripts in their respective names, thereby allocating any low grade of his choice to other (the serious) students without minding to mark their scripts or any script whatsoever. In this methodology, the so-called lecturer would only participate in what could be regarded as a rough marking without considering the consequence of his actions. Such lecturer may only not be seen as an unserious staff, but also, ought to be seen as a callous person.

Secondly, sometimes a corrupt lecturer may decide to delay the students’ results before forwarding them to the apt quarters, or in some occasions, he might give an excuse that, the results are missing. By so doing, the students would be propelled to meet him either individually or collectively, or better still, through the course ‘rep’. in the process, the students would be informed that, their performances were very bad; on that note, each of them would be asked to pay a certain fee to ensure that better and excellent grades are allocated to them.

Thirdly, lecturers filled with perversion end-up molesting their female students in order to sleep with them in exchange for a good grade in their respective courses. This aspect of ‘sorting’ has taken a new dimension at recent time; the lecturers don’t only molest or threaten the corrupt/indecent female students, but they go a long way threatening the decent (morally dressed) ones in their midst just for the purpose of reducing their ego. This’s extremely blasphemous and perilous.

Moreover, this (sorting) is no longer attributed to a lecturer that teaches/lectures a certain course but it’s also attributable to one (a lecturer) whom advises/counsels any of the classes of a particular department he/she belongs, or otherwise known as a Class Adviser. In some departments, the Class Adviser(s) upgrades a student’s GPA/CGPA as the case may be, after he/she must had paid a certain sum of money required by the lecturer (class adviser). The most disgusting aspect of it is that, it has become a joint venture or ‘business’ that, in most cases it appears to be a deal between the Head of Department (HOD) and the Class Adviser.

This menace has contributed immensely to the rapid increase of quarter baked graduates littering all over the nook and cranny. Most of these graduates cannot even write a letter of employment, talk less of defending what they claim to have studied or acquired. Thus, most are unemployable and this syndrome has led to the alarming rise in vices or quackery. Needless to say that, it’s the sole reactant of the daily occurrence of inconsequential industrial/office hazards. These dismays had generated an indelible decay in our economic system.

Paying a close attention to this collusion (sorting), we’d find out that nobody is to be exempted while dishing out blames. Suffice to say that, anybody could be held responsible.

The school authorities have failed to look into the paramount cause of this aberration which should have been the preliminary or fundamental aspect of their activities/policies, because, any school that is known for the production of low quality graduates would be recognized by the public as a citadel that’s only interested in moneymaking; therefore, it would be better the school in question does not exist. Sometimes when a lecturer is reported to the school authorities by a student for his selfish attitude, the student may end-up losing his/her studentship. This’s appalling and disgusting!

On the other hand, most parents no longer give attention to their children’s social or moral lives, rather, they believe the children’s only plight is money. On that note they keep on sending money to them once they asked for it without minding how often this is done and how much is involved. This anomaly is often observed amongst wealthy parents/guardians. Even, at recent time, most secondary school students no longer sit for or write SSCE exams by themselves, rather, their parents would sponsor/encourage the hiring of ‘machinery’ for them. Due to all these lackadaisical attitudes of most parents, the students at the higher institutions would be left with no other choice or any option than to depend solely on sorting. And the female ones would end-up seducing their lecturers by dressing half-naked or putting on diaphanous clothes to their lecture classes.

Inter alia, the only object of most lecturers at the citadel of higher learning is just to make money, thereby overlooking the basic aim of the citadel in question. Frankly speaking, the sole interest of this set of lecturers is to sell their textbooks or handouts to their students, through their course rep(s); and this guarantees an automatic pass mark or excellent grade as the case may be. The lecturers in question may only appear in the lecture-class once or twice in a semester; and subsequently his textbooks/handouts would be introduced towards the examination period, so the students would be left with no choice. Even if the students decide to create a choice, he/she might be faced with a threat that, anyone whom fails to purchase the book/material would definitely fail the course. And to make the mandate look severe, a list of those whom purchased the material would be taken by the course rep and forwarded to the lecturer as instructed by him/her. To the lecturers involved, this is the most mature aspect of sorting, because it bears less stress/risk.

The appointment of some persons that never passed through a university/polytechnic or as the case may be, as members of the governing body/council of the respective institution by the government should also be seen as a barrier, because these appointees may not be familiar with the nature of activities/contingencies that are often encountered or likely to occur at the place(s) assigned to them.

The government, through the universities/polytechnics/colleges’ regulatory bodies should, from time to time visit the schools with the primary aim of ascertaining how the standard or ethics of the respective schools are maintained/observed by the employees/staff. Also, the Senate of the various schools should be assiduous and sincere in terms of employment to ensure that, standard and reliable lecturers or officers are employed. The Heads of Departments should also ensure that the class/course reps are democratically elected by the concerned students and not to be appointment by any lecturer or person whosoever.

On the other hand, the decent lecturers in the midst ought to be extremely conscious at all times. Most lecturers entrust so much confidence/responsibility on the course reps, that, they could leave their respective offices for elsewhere while a course rep is still in the office sorting out one of two things that has to do with his/her class. And in such process, he/she (course rep) could do anything to please/satisfy his/her selfish desire. These lecturers should note that, the offices in question were allocated to them as an official apartment; so they ought to ensure that the place is being used officially as the rule stipulates.

And, the serious minded and responsible students who fall victim to this circumstance (sorting) should always bear in mind that, nothing is above God; if you encounter such hurdle, go on your knees and seek the face of the Almighty instead of succumbing to a mere cheap threat. Above all, you are required to report such ruthless lecturer/officer to the apt quarters; don’t be deterred by anything whatsoever while taking such step because it’s your duty to act aptly.

More so, parents ought to as well endeavour to devote more of their time to their children’s/wards’ social and moral lives right from their childhood till their adulthood. They should find time to visit them at their respective place of learning to see how they’re faring. Thus, they should not solely depend/rely on phone calls which is often the tradition among most parents/guardians.

Brethren, we should all help to fight this virus that’s eating deep into our socio-economic system, so that, the country will not wake-up one morning to exclaim ‘Ebee woo!’ And to the students, always remember the famous saying, ‘As you lay your bed, so you lie on it.’ Believe me, it’s better late than never. Kindly turn a new leaf without further ado. Think about it!

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COMR. FRED NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com

My Only Choice (Poem)

Professionalism in Journalism & Broadcasting

ENHANCING PROFESSIONALISM IN JOURNALISM AND BROADCASTING


Journalism is the job of collecting, writing and publishing news in newspapers and magazines, and on television and radio, while broadcasting is the act of sending out information by radio waves, so that it can be heard on the radio or seen on television. In other words, the former is the bedrock of the latter.

Both professions are interwoven, and had been existing for over the years. From my point of view, there’re certain issues that should be taken more seriously by the concerned professionals.

I shall begin with the issue of independence. Every practising journalist should emulate the habit of being independent; try to be yourself and don’t work to make a particular person(s) happy. Your paramount interest should be the joy of your audience or fans. Don’t work for money, rather let the reverse be the case.

On the other hand, each time you write or gather your report, try and listen to yourself. Ask yourself these questions: Is it the truth; and, will it be fair to all concerned? As you try to answer the question, promise to tell yourself nothing but the truth. Thus, you have to be sincere to your soul and mind. That’s where conscience comes in.

Confidence is another basic tool we must not forget. As a journalist, you must be courageous. Don’t be intimidated by mere threats, or don’t be scared of being threatened. Strictness should always be applied in your line of practice. And, while gathering your press report, don’t be shattered or deterred by people’s countenance. Be defensive at all times.

Most importantly, as a professional, you must abstain from gossip/propaganda. You shouldn’t take meaning from what the men of the underworlds or the laymen say, even if he happens to be your closest friend. But you can give a listening ear. Your focus/aim should be to give your audience what they need, and not what they want.

Though, sometimes their wants might correspond with their need, but you still need to depend on investigative reporting. Whatever information you receive, you still have to go an extra mile to find out the fact(s) behind the message. This’s a very great caution needed to uphold the recently approved Freedom of Information (FOI) law in Nigeria and such similar laws existing in other countries. We must say no to upheaval as we discharge our journalistic/writing prowess.

The editors are not left out. They also need to play a very vital role while applying their editorial skills or guidance. Bribery should be seen as a sadist or terror towards actualizing journalistic excellence. They must also be extremely independent. I must commend most of them; they’re really doing the job.

Please my fellow writers, let’s always apply diligence and caution in our respective endeavours; that is, in anything we write, do or say. If we see this as a priority, I bet you, the sky would always be our stepping stone; and we shall live to be honoured by all and sundry.

On the side of broadcasting which’s the product of journalism; the broadcasting firms should be independent in terms of power supply, most especially during news time. Even if there’s power supply from the national source, during the news time, they should switch over to their power generating sets. If possible, the power generators should be on as long as the station is open or available. This would drastically reduce the rate at which the broadcasters discharge apologies while in the life (transmission) studio. The above measure/approach is often required in a country where steady power supply is a mirage.

The culture of airing local news before the international ones should also be adhered to. Some of the broadcasting stations in most of the countries in the world are used to the reverse, and personally, I don’t think it’s fair to all concerned. We must learn to start from home before considering abroad.

The use of telecommunication gadgets, such as the mobile phones, in the transmission studios should be totally abolished because such act is an aberration. Most times, when news and other matters are being aired, a cell phone would be heard blaring at the background of the transmission studio (room) in use. This’s quite appalling! Even if a phone is eventually taken to such arena by the broadcaster, it should be switched off. One fateful day, I was listening to a very talented and educative programme over the radio, and along the line, a phone rang at the background. Immediately, I got disgusted and quit my interest. I believe most other people may also have such listening attitude.

The use of apology should not be undermined in event of lateness, mistake, or mispronunciation of words. ‘I beg your pardon’ might seem small or insignificant, but the truth is that, it makes a great sense (meaning) to the ears of your audience.

Airing of radio/television commercial jingles with respect to their languages ought to also be considered. A radio or television jingle built with a certain language ought to be aired when a programme of such language is on air or taking place. For instance, a jingle recorded with Igbo language should go on air when a programme of Igbo language is taking place, and not in the midst of a programme of English/Hausa language, or as the case may be.

Inter alia, both professionals (journalists/broadcasters) need to acknowledge the importance of punctuality. A gentleman of the press should arrive at the venue of an event before the stipulated time of the occasion; a second late could create a big loophole (lapse) in his/her reportage. In the same vein, a broadcaster whom was assigned or is supposed to air a particular news/programme ought to be at the studio at least thirty minutes prior to the news/programme time; he/she must take time to rehearse the news bulletin to ensure that accuracy becomes the case at the end of the day. This would also give the person in question more confidence/courage while on the microphone. More so, we shouldn’t keep our audience waiting; the news time should not be demeaned, therefore ought to be taken seriously by anyone involved. Commencing the airing of news a second after the news time could be dangerous. So, we must adhere to discipline to the core. The potential journalists/broadcasters should also take note of  all these facts.

Above all, every journalist or television broadcaster should cultivate the habit of good/decent dressing pattern. Let’s dress well to an event if we’re assigned to cover the event. On the other hand, if you have a programme to present or you need to broadcast news on the television, your dressing culture should be strictly considered. The radio broadcasters/presenters may be exempted in this case, but we all must be conscious of how we dress because millions of people out there are looking up to us. Your countenance counts!

Honestly, I must commend the practising journalists and broadcasters in most developing nations; most of them are really putting in their best in spite of the low salary syndrome faced by all. I think, this’s where the government comes in. The concerned governments should not turn their back on the people that maintain peace, unity and progress in any society where they are found. Either as an individual or as a group, if you’re not informed, you would definitely be deformed. And, journalists and broadcasters are the only answer to this, information dissemination. So, such set of people/workers ought to be honoured with tremendous working incentives such as wardrobe or transport/mobility allowance. Even those at the private sector should not be ignored; their employers should be supported by their respective governments from time to time.

For our society to be, or remain great, we must endeavour to attain perfection; though no one is or would be perfect. Think about it!

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FDN NWAOZOR

frednwaozor@gmail.com