The management of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, has disclosed its commitment to assist extra-year students struggling with their studies by considering a waiver for them.
The move is in response to a recent suicide attempt by a 200-level student who attempted suicide following academic struggles.
PUNCH Metro exclusively obtained an internal memo on Wednesday, dated November 1, 2024, from the university’s Senate Division.
The memo revealed that a special Committee of Deans meeting was convened to address the case of the affected student and thereafter came up with compassionate measures.
The memo, signed by the Deputy Registrar, M.S. Oluwajoba, revealed that the student, whose name was not stated, had transferred from the Faculty of Pharmacy to the Department of Biology Education, and reportedly attempted suicide on October 16.
The incident prompted the Dean of the Faculty to take up the matter to the higher authorities.
The memo seen by our correspondent was titled, “Decision Extract: Re: Special Meeting of Committee of Deans held on Wednesday, October 16, 2024,” and directed to all deans.
It partly read, “The Dean, Faculty of Education reported a case of a suicide attempt by a Part II student who transferred from the Faculty of Pharmacy to the Department of Biology Education on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. After due deliberation on the matter, the Committee decided that: Members of staff should continue as usual to offer support to our students.
“The departmental and the Faculty Boards of Examiners are advised and encouraged to provide an enabling environment for students’ support.
“Staff and Part Advisers should kindly cooperate in this regard.
“The above information supersedes the earlier circulated decision extract.”
An earlier circular from the office, dated October 17, 2024, had said any student who had only one or two courses to pass to graduate, having attempted those courses in the previous semesters, “should be considered to graduate on compassionate grounds provided such assistance SHALL NOT change the candidate’s class of degree.”
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the university, Abiodun Olanrewaju, confirmed the decision of the institution, noting this was to prevent further suicide attempts.
In an interview with our correspondent on Wednesday, the varsity spokesperson said, “We want to reduce to the barest minimum the commission of suicide due to academic stress or rigour especially by those in the final year who are repeating one or two courses and they are being delayed by that.
“So, the human face there is, given the situation and circumstance of the country, we should just let them go. It doesn’t cost the university anything, and so that it will not be that somebody commits suicide because of extra academic years.”
Our correspondent however gathered from a top official that the decision “is not official” but considered “in the wisdom of the university” given the sensitivity of the situation.
Punch