Curbing students’ crisis
The National Policy on Education (2004) highlights the aims of higher education to include: the development of the intellectual capacities of individuals to understand and appreciate their environments; the acquisition of both physical and intellectual skills which will enable individuals to develop into useful members of the community and the acquisition of an objective view […]
The National Policy on Education (2004) highlights the aims of higher education to include: the development of the intellectual capacities of individuals to understand and appreciate their environments; the acquisition of both physical and intellectual skills which will enable individuals to develop into useful members of the community and the acquisition of an objective view of the local and external environments.
Politics is a social relationship involving the intrigue to gain authority or power and which overwhelms almost all facets of human life. Students’ political activities in campuses of Nigerian universities, polytechnics and colleges of education seem to be creating tension and unrest in the academic environment.
Over the years, vices such as cultism, drug abuse and prostitution were major issues of concern in campuses of higher institutions in Nigerian. Today, students’ political activities on campuses are beginning to take the coloration of politics at the national level and are gradually becoming serious issues to contend with by managements of higher institutions of learning.
Students’ attitudes have become somewhat more conservative politically. Self-help groups have expanded significantly in campuses.
Students’ political bodies have been concerned not only with the quality of campus life and with student service enterprises, but also with the representation of students in a wider forum.
Students’ political bodies are mainly concerned with ensuring that students’ interests are respected. These bodies also oppose tuition increases at public universities; argue against restrictions on students rights and so on.
In 1981, there was crisis in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where students died and the vice-chancellor of the university dismissed. In 1984, many tertiary institutions rioted over the proposed introduction of tuition fees and the scrapping of catering services. This led to the closure of many universities for months.
In 1988, students rioted over the removal of subsidy from petroleum and allied products, which led to the closure of many tertiary institutions for a period of six months. The introduction of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) also generated crisis in many tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
In 2003, there was crisis in almost all the tertiary institutions in Nigeria as a result of increase in the prices of petroleum products.
Recently, there were reported cases of violent demonstrations alleged to be kick-started and fueled by student union leaders in tertiary institutions. In May 2014, the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) was shut down after a violent demonstration by students because of the tuition hike by the management of the institution.
To rescue our institutions from this tragedy and to maintain peace and order in tertiary institutions, there should be sustained cordial relationship between the authorities and students of universities, polytechnics and colleges of education. The involvement of students in decision making processes can also serve as an effective strategy for curbing students’ crises.
Dialogue can be another effective measure of curbing students’ crises. School authorities should be more democratic and diplomatic in handling students’ affairs.
In addition, tertiary institutions should offer courses on conflict management and resolution, peace education, civic education, good governance, basic and human rights, social justice, respect and the rule of law, and virtues of peace, tolerance, patience and respect for life, among others and students should be mandated to take these courses.
Auwal is a final student of Mass Communication at NSUK