The right to education is a human right provision enshrined in the 1992 Constitution of Ghana. Every Ghanaian irrespective of his/her ethnicity, creed, political affiliation etc has the right to access education to the highest level and beyond. But what do we see in some or most of our tertiary institutions? There is something going on, which i would call “Academic Terrorism” in our universities and polytechnics. Students are being terrorized and this is causing so much fear and panic amongst them. Names would not be mentioned in this article due to ethical and security reasons. Those undertaking this form of terrorist activity are some of the lecturers, teaching assistants and senior research assistants. Due to this activity, some of the students do not feel comfortable anytime they go for lectures. They are being threatened and intimidated anytime they make up their minds to report such negative activities by those who are being paid to impart knowledge to them.
These “terrorist activities” are in various forms. I am just going to be very brief. Some of the lecturers come to class and spend about 80% of the time allotted to them to sell their books, and woe betides you if you do not buy their books, your guess is as good as mine, you might end up getting a horrible grade that could even send you home. Imagine a lecturer coming to class and not teaching but expects you to answer questions during quizzes and examinations. Others too would not prepare adequately before coming to class, but would expect more from the students. If i may ask, why are you being paid at the end of the month? Such people are termed as square pegs in round holes. Some of them too take delight in failing the students, and even make it known to them that they would not pass their papers. The ladies sometimes are the most vulnerable. Some of the ladies who can not bear the frustrations any longer, kowtow to the sexual demands of some of the male lecturers just !
to be guaranteed good grades for their end of semester exams. !
Some of the lecturers also demand money from the students before giving them good grades. But, the most interesting aspect of the “Academic Terrorism”, is when a student goes the extra mile to do more research and come out with new material on a course or topic, such a student might be regarded as an “Academic Threat” by the lecturer. Then, why encourage research in our universities and polytechnics? No wonder the project works/long essays, theses of students have been left to gather dust on the shelves. Thus, i have now come to believe the saying “The pen is mightier than the sword”. Lets all say no to this emerging trend of “Academic Terrorism” in Ghana.
