On March 19, all hell was let loose at the Bowen University in Iwo, Osun State. The incident will continue to linger in the minds of staff, students, parents and founders of the institution for a long time. According to media report, students went on the rampage, vandalising the school property, which included no fewer than 20 vehicles belonging to the institution.
The cause of the violence was said to be power outage and water shortage in one of the new male hostels. Findings later revealed that the cause of the protest was more than power supply and water scarcity; it was said to be connected with some management’s decisions that did not go down well with students.
The decisions included restriction of students’ movement, compulsory locking of the hostels between 8am and 4pm and timetable for eating, among others.
Reports said students were watching an European Champions League match that fateful day when the electricity went off; the frustration coupled with the bottled-up anger against the school policies was believed to have triggered the protest. By the time the dust settled, stalls within the campus have been looted. This unfortunate incident calls for concern and a review of private institutions managements’ policies.
It is alarming that in this 21st century, we have institutions that prevent students from making use of gadgets such as computers, mobile phones and I-pads. Many of them issue stringent dress codes to students, restricting their movement and dictating the kind of clothes they must wear. They fix time when the students must read and compel them to go to chapels.
Students are sent to the tertiary institution not to only acquire knowledge, but to learn self-reliance, human relations and how to be independent. One, therefore, wonders how the students would acquire these ‘skills’ if they are constantly restricted and their daily routine dictated by the authorities.
Even more disturbing is breaching the right of staff and students to unionise contrary to Section 40 of the Constitution, which states: “Every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons, and in particular he may form or belong to any political party, trade union or any other association for the protection of his interests.”
The right to unionise in private institutions is being trampled upon, thus making agitation and championing the staff and students’ interest a mirage. Apart from defending the interest of members, these unions, especially the Students’ Union, help to develop and mould future leaders for the nation. It is a ground where students can acquire leadership skills that will benefit them and help them even in their chosen careers, which is one of the goals of these schools in the first instance.
Many private institutions, in a bid to instil discipline in their students, introduce policies that do not necessarily inculcate the desired values in them. Many students hide their real way of life while in school and revert back to the behaviour when they are on holidays.
Because they are treated as kids on campus, the students feel imprisoned and restricted from socialising and mixing freely, thus, affecting their human relations when they graduate from the schools. It is high time private varsities’ managements began to allow some level of liberty on their campuses.
Varsity undergraduates in these institutions should be given the requisite training and exposure that will justify the fees that are paying and make them interact freely and compete favourably with their peers in public varsities.
Basic amenities that have to be provided in a higher institution are electricity and water. Though, both services have been a challenge for national government to provide, but higher institutions must devote a substantial part of their resources to provide these basic amenities. It is surprising, however, that in a private university where students pay between N500,000 and N700,000, electricity is supplied to Halls of Residence for just six hours daily!
The protest by the students is a reaction to the suppression of their fundamental human rights. It is a product of bottled-up frustration against the system but the power outage is just a smokescreen.
There is the likelihood of communication breakdown between the management and students, which could have been averted should there be a students’ union.
It is also important that these institutions give students some liberty in the process of instilling discipline in them. After all, there is no evidence to show that their graduates are better off in behaviour compare to their peers who went to public schools. The unfortunate incident at Bowen University is a wake-up call to our leaders that the people are gradually finding their voice and are resisting unpopular policies. Gone are the days when people accepted oppressive policies hook, line and sinker.
The unfortunate and regrettable part of the whole affair is the looting of shops and destruction of vehicles. It is a sour taste, which leaves so much to be desired. It is unfortunate that undergraduates would be lawless and turn a supposedly peaceful protest into violence. This is condemnable and should be discouraged by the parents. Apart from the fact that the students will likely have to be surcharged for the destruction and looting, it has brought about a disruption in the academic calendar which is not too good.
Certainly, lessons have been learnt, though in the hard way. It is hoped that other private institutions, public universities and the nation would come to the reality that, no matter how long people are suppressed; a day of revolt will surely come. Private institutions need to revisit some of their laws and give their students some level of freedom. The right to unionise should also be revisited in these ivory towers to build future leaders and expose students to leadership experience.
Abiola, 600-Level Veterinary Medicine, FUNAAB
