Exams are meant for the students. Not the other way round. But some students fear exams. They quake and run helter-skelter when exam approaches. In all these fiasco, some students run to their books, a few others run to fellowships to seek spiritual help. But those who read would often pass.
Students are supposed to be given enough time to prepare for their exams. Usually, after lectures, there is what the academics call -- revision. But we currently have a reversed version of revision. Students no longer revise their books. Rather, they are compelled to attend classes during this revision period. Students need to read to write. If they don’t read and revise, they resort to other means to pass. They resort to malpractice and other compromising acts to pass examinations. In order to forestall this from happening, the Student Union Government (SUG) swung into action.
UNIBEN exams were slated to begin on Monday 27/6/16. But the student’s body weren’t in synchrony. They needed a shift. They wanted to balance the public holidays, the strike days, the forced holidays and all other excesses that made the exams look so sudden. They moved in unionism to all faculties to boycott their exams. Some were successful, others weren’t. Geology didn’t write. Engineering did. Also, pharmacy and Biochemistry didn’t write.
It was a good act. But it was acted wrongly. The SUG meant good. But the good was not goodly sort after. Dialogue is still the first step to negotiation says Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, the DVC Administration. Kalligraphy agrees with him. Confrontation can be a last resort. Not the first. In pharmacy, there is what we call ‘first line’ drugs. T
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| Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye |
The University management did not like the action. It was a rushed bid. They kicked and queried. And in some instances they had to intervene for exams to go on. They did so in mathematics and also in pharmacy. In pharmacy, the two Deputy Vice Chancellor’s and other principal officers gave the opportunity for the students to state their grievances. They were shocked with the plight of the students. They immediately postponed all the theory examinations and allowed the practicals go on. Reason was, the reagents and chemicals for the practicals were already prepared and it would be unwise to waste them.
They queried the fact that some lecturers just finished their lectures on Saturday 25/6/16, leaving the students with just a day (Sunday) to prepare for their exams on Monday. That was how effective dialogue could be. They listened to the students and acted promptly. It was obvious that there was a communication gap between the students and the management.
In the rampaging protest, only Professor George Eriyamremu of Biochemistry could calm the students. He was formerly a Dean of student, hence he understood the student’s language. He flourished when he needed to speak the broken form of the English language. He cajoled the students before they agreed to dialogue.
We have learnt a lesson. In some climes, the university would sanction the students. But UNIBEN has a lot of compassion. After they frowned, they later smiled and then advised. They see the students as their wards. It was a good gesture.
Lecturers should come to classes as at when due so that this melodrama should not repeat itself. The SUG should have an academic committee that should monitor lectures and give feedback to the management. The SUG parliamentarians, instead of unnecessary arguments, can make this a reality.
There should also be a routine general assembly that consist of all the class representatives in the University, the SUG executives and the school management. The class representatives have a better knowledge of the academic problems faced by the students. Hence they would be able to relate their inconveniences to the management. It would also help to put a stop to the forceful sale of textbooks by some lecturers. That way, the academic challenges of the students would be dealt with before any student would raise a brow. This, I believe is the way forward.
Happy Birthday
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| EPO |
Ehidiamen Precious Olobor popularly known as EPO clocked a particular age on Thursday. As at the time of filing this report the age still remains a secret. But investigations are on-going. EPO is in-charge of the 500 level class welfare. Happy birthday friend. God bless your new age. Kalligraphy celebrates with you.
© Ezekiel Efeobhokhan
500 pharmacy UNIBEN
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