The Federal Ministry of Education, through the National University Commission (NUC), has given the directive that universities, polytechnics and colleges of education should pause academic activities between February 22, 2023 and March 14, 2023 to enable students particularly to participate in the coming elections. Many students have complained that they registered for their Permanent Voter’s Card at their home resident and not at their hostel. If academic activities are allowed to continue, a significant percentage of eligible students will be disenfranchised.
This is why the NUC has announced the directive. Students can now travel home to vote at their respective polling booths without any effect on their academics. However, a number of teachers and students of universities have different thoughts and views on this directive. Chamberlain Egbulefu, Associate Professor at Benson Idahosa University (Benin) said that the closure of higher institutions at this point is a step in the right direction. He said it will not only enable students to participate in the elections but also ensure that families are together. Nobody is certain of the outcome of the elections and parents will also be able to monitor the activities of their children during this period.
3 weeks seems like a very long time for closure and delays in education.
A student of University of Benin, Vincent Uche, said that shutdown is pointless. He said the three-week closure may lead to an extension of the semester by three weeks. He stated that it will affect students’ education because nobody knows if the examinations at the school will be shifted. (Some schools, such as University of Lagos, have shifted undergraduate examinations by three weeks to accommodate the three-week break. Vincent says three weeks seem like a very long time to just let go. “Had it been it is one week, some days before the elections and some days after the elections, that would have made more sense,” he said.
However, Dr. Dennis Enegesele, a lecturer, said the directive has both positive and negative impact on education. On the positive side, the Federal Government wants to avoid the use of tertiary students by politicians to disrupt the election process. It will also help some students and staff to travel to their respective places where they have registered to vote. On the negative side, the order will disrupt the tertiary academic calendar, as most lecturers will need to cover up for the lost weeks. Besides, some lecturers and students would rather prefer travelling to be with their families instead of staying back in school to cast their vote.
ASUP President cites security concerns and an Akokite says not a priority.
Still, Anderson Ezeibe, the President of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), said that the three-week break might be based on security concerns. He stated that he is not privy to any intel that is available to government officials and that made them make the decision. “If such intel is reliable and verifiable, then one can say that it is a proper step for the institutions to be shut down in view of the volatility of the season and the vulnerable position of the students,” he said.
Notwithstanding, one of the students of University of Lagos (who are popularly known as Akokites), Folarin Adesina, said that the closure is not a priority for students. He wondered why students would be sent home because of elections. He said, “We want to graduate and leave the campus. I and many others have over stayed. The directive should have been optional.” Also, ASUU Lagos Zone Coordinator, Dr. Adelaja Odukoya, said that the Federal Government’s action is extremely lawless and a violation of the powers of the university senate. He said it shows the low priority of the government for education, given that the universities are still struggling to recover from the last eight and a half month’s strike.
A welcome development as well as an aberration, says different students.
Additionally, Eze Nwonu, a student at Ebonyi State University (Abakaliki), said that the directive is a welcome directive. He said students need to be at home during the elections to be able to vote like other Nigerians. He then urged the NUC to direct schools to extend the current academic calendar to compensate for the period that students will miss during the holidays. However, Hyacinth Odogwu, also a student, said that the directive is an aberration to the education sector.
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NUC: Website
Thoughts of closure of schools for elections. – University staff and students weigh in on whether it’s a good or bad move. – Express your point of view.
It is good the government has given students holiday for the elections. It will help students to vote during election. Also, help us deter from violence if it happens.
It is unfortunate that the Federal Ministry of Education, through the National University Commission (NUC), has ordered universities, polytechnics, and institutes of education to suspend classes until further notice.
Its excellent that a number of students have expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that they had to register for their Permanent Voter Card at their home address rather than at the dormitory where they were staying.
If academic activities are allowed to continue, a sizeable portion of the pupils who are qualified to participate will be denied the opportunity to do so.
This is the motivation behind the NUC’s announcement of the directive. Students are free to visit their homes and vote at the polling places in their communities without fear of repercussions to their academic work.
It would make more sense if the election were spread out across a week, starting a few days before and ending a few days after the week in question.
Several students and faculty members would rather take a trip to be with their families than remain at school to cast their ballot. They would rather stay home and enjoy their time with their loved ones.
The fact that universities are still fighting to recover from the strike that lasted eight and a half months shows that the administration does not place a high importance on education.
The closure of the schools may not necessarily have any importance but for incase of violence after the election,it is necessary to put those precautions in place.
Thoughts of closure of schools for elections. That is very good for all schools to be at home. Election is very important in Nigeria
A weeklong election, beginning a few days before the relevant week and finishing a few days after it, would make more sense.
It’s great that some students have complained about having to register for a Permanent Voter Card at their home address rather than their dorm.
That’s why the NUC gave the order in the first place. There will be no ramifications for students’ grades if they take time away from school to go vote at their local polling stations.
Its the best decision. There are uncertainties regarding outcome of the elections and it is important parents will also be able to monitor the activities of their children during this period. Safety first!
This is good move for government to for the closure of school because of election so that the student and lecturer will be able to vote also and student will feel safe if they are at there home during election
Honestly, it is the right thing to do. The Government must have considered several factors before taken that step. In this way security of the student can be guaranteed. Also, the Student will not be disenfranchised of their right to vote.
The students can’t be in school while election is taking place in a country. Sending them home will prevent them from being disenfranchise from voting process since many of the registered at home and ensure safety.
It’s essential that students who are eligible participate in election. Also the aftermath of the election is unpredictable. So it’s safe the school remain closed. Although 3 weeks seem to be a long time; the lecturers have a point too
It’s great that some students have complained about having to register for their Permanent Voter Cards at their home addresses rather than the residences where they were staying.
The decision is quiet justifiable cause permitting the status quo would result in disparaging quite a few
of students who meet the prerequisites for participation in extracurricular activities.