The irate students on campus
Management of the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) cancelled some papers in the end of semester examinations on Sunday following protests by a section of the students.
The students, who were allegedly prevented from taking part in the end of semester examinations due to their failure to pay fees, protested on campus after several efforts to get management to allow them to write the papers failed.
The students were prevented from writing the papers because the school’s online portal did not capture their names as duly registered students for the exams.
Per the school’s regulations, the students were expected to pay at least 80% of the total amount of fees.
However, some students, who spoke to DAILY GUIDE, claimed they paid more than the said amount but could not register because of challenges with the portal.
Others alleged that they paid an additional amount of GHC150 as penalty for late payment while a few others stated that they made payments with the exception of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) dues.
Some students, who were on scholarships and beneficiaries of the Student Loan Trust Fund, were all denied the opportunity to take part in the examinations.
Most of the affected students were devastated, as they feared they might have to wait for a long time in order to re-sit all courses in the next academic year.
The examination began on Friday, November 30.
The affected students lodged complaints with authorities of the school who promised to address their issues before the next day.
On Saturday, December 1, the students were blatantly refused entry into the examination halls again.
They pleaded with the President of the SRC, Emmanuel Kumah and Academic Affairs Unit of the Institute since there was no management member present but to no avail.
On Sunday, December 2, the situation did not improve and the students wore red and black attires to register their displeasure with the treatment meted out to them.
After the first paper for the day at about 9:45am, there were many students on campus who had been denied the opportunity to participate in the exams.
Reporters from GhOne TV and Joy News who had travelled to the school to cover the activities, were refused entry into the school by the security personnel.
This caused a ferocious reaction from the students.
A gentleman, whose name was given as Mr. Tibu, a staff at the Academic Affairs of the Institute, entered the campus with his GIJ branded vehicle a few minutes later and ordered the security to call the police.
The irate students expressed dissatisfaction with the comments and actions of Mr. Tibu and protested violently to attract over 10 armed police officers.
Eventually, the afternoon and evening papers for Level 400 and Masters’ students were cancelled on the advice of police hierarchy.
The students were subsequently ordered to vacate the school’s premises.
A DAILY GUIDE Report