Parents of 100 level students from the Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, UNILAG, who were prevented by the school authorities to cross over into the College of Medicine, have called on relevant stakeholders to advise the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Bello Rahmon to rescind his decisions and allow the affected students pursue their dreams.
They spoke at a meeting organised by The Education Rights Campaign ERC held at the International Press Centre, Ogba. Recall that recently, some students from the Departments of Medicine and Surgery, MBBS Dentistry, Medical Laboratory, Nursing, Pharmacology and Radiography held a protest at the gate of the institution over what they called change of rules of admission into the College of Medicine, Idi Araba.
The allegations included raising the previous cumulative score average of 50 for the Departments of Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry, Medical Laboratory, Science, Nursing and Physiotherapy to possession of 4.11 CGPA for MBBS; 3.25 CGPA for Medical Laboratory Science; 3.06 CGPA for Physiotherapy, 3.00 for Nursing, and 3.06 CGPA for Dentistry.
In the same vein, the 2.00 CGPA entry for pharmacology, Physiology and Radiology programmes was revised to possession of a minimum CGPA of 2.5. National Coordinator, ERC, Hassan Soweto said UNILAG, reneged on the contract it entered into with 100 level Faculty of Science students for pre-medical and pharmacy programmes 2014-2016, by raising the minimum requirements for the transfer of a first year(100 level) student into the College of Medicine.
Mr Soweto said a total of 271 students who met the requirements for the transfer into the College of Medicine , only 169 students got accepted, leaving the rest of the 102 students with an option of either changing course of study or stepping down. This he said amounted to injustice and indiscretion of the school’s authority. His words, “We hold that the affected students must not be made to suffer for the indiscretion of the university. We demand that they allowed to proceed to the College as they have met the entry requirements. By killing” their dreams, it is Nigeria and Nigerians who urgently need more doctors, nurses and other health professionals that we are killing.
Mr Chuks Elue, the aggrieved parents representative, said the decision of the university has brought untold hardship to the students, “ As the students feel traumatic and distraught, that if care is not taken the students might involve in negative vices. “We want the VC to change this decision” Allegation of change of programmes by the school authority for the affected students: For Otunba Ölabisi Modupe , a parent to one of the affected students told Vanguard that her daughter’ s case was shocking as she was earlier denied admission into the college, only to find out later that she has been registered by the school authority for a course she did not registered.
Corroborating the claims, of students previously denied admission to be given a change of programme, Oludola Oyenuga said that he ought to be in 200l studying Medicine& Surgery, but was given Radiography. This he attributed to the school’s way of correcting its mistake and placating the students. I don’t want a change of programme, but Medicine, as it is my passion.
He further started that, “ Denying us our passion to be health practitioners amount to truncating our dreams and future. Another student who declined her name said that the earlier decision of the university and subsequent registering students for programmes they did not register has caused the students a lot. “
“I feel frustrated and confused as I initially put Nursing, was denied admission into the college after the university decision. Now, I even more confuse as I recently checked my profile only to see I have been given Botany. “ I want to return back to study Nursing and not Botany. As I feel depress any time I see my mates already studying in the college.
Source: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/03/unilag-parents-seek-redress-over-change-of-admission-rule/
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