The prestigious University of Ibadan convokes hosts of first-degree graduates yearly and the institution over the years has seen large numbers of first-class graduands. However, this is not the case this year which marks the 74th convocation ceremony of the University of Ibadan. What could have been the cause? Is this proof that "school is actually a scam" and students are now acting it out by quitting the struggle to make first class since school in the end going to be a scam? These are questions that beg for answers as the University of Ibadan sets to convoke a whopping 4,926graduates this year, of which only 229candidates bagged first-class honors.
The Nigerian educational system is an eyesore, and it is not harsh to say that the Nigerian government keeps making education in Nigeria for the common man's child undesirable and unattractive. This is evident in the constant and prolonged strike episodes. Perhaps it was during one of the strike episodes that the typical University of Ibadan students asked themselves the question "is it really worth it? Rather than hoping idly for many months for the strike to be called off, it is best to probably learn a skill, get a job or just get engaged in productive activities or even get married or "japa".
This was where the divided attention and distraction sprang out from. However, this is nothing else but a healthy distraction, because, skills, jobs, and other productive activities helped students keep their minds busy during the strike, and thus upon resumption, the once undying desire to face academic activities and march aggressively for the attainment of academic excellence reduces to the barest minimum. This is because they are shuffling school with too many other activities they got engaged in during the strike. What is left within them now is a pinch of unwilling willingness which they think is just enough to help them graduate without a re-sit or an extra year. Staying 6 years in the university for a 4-year course is enough to demotivate anybody, especially when the extra 2 years are not self-caused, but were imposed by the failed educational system.
Impressively, students who found new skills and jobs during the strike and followed it through even after resumption are excelling in their different fields. Some have landed permanent jobs that they can continue with even after graduating. While others have learned both tech and local skills that are solid enough to give them an awesome headstart at life after school. This leads to another question that begs for answers; "Since I can attain all of these without a degree, why the unnecessary struggle for academic excellence? Why not get the degree just for the sake of it and focus only on my skill or job?" This is a valid question in the hearts of over ¼ of UI students.
This healthy distraction may have successfully shifted the attention of the students of the institution from going the extra mile in the attainment of great academic feats, just 200+ first-class students out of about 4,000 students is uncharacteristic of the University of Ibadan, its cause needs to be studied.
Finally, whether or not school is a scam is in the hands of the Nigerian government to decide. Although, staying longer than normal in school with poor academic facilities can be discouraging. However, this does not change the fact that whatever is worth doing is worth doing well. If being in school is worth your time, it is important to do the best that you can to attain excellence in the academic journey in which you have found yourself.
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