Mid-semester Break: OAU Students’ Union States Positions

As reactions continue to trail the announcement of 2-week mid-semester break by management of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, the students’ union has stated its positions on the precedented break.

The reaction of the students’ body was contained in a statement released by the union image maker, Ogunperi Taofeek Olalekan last night, 27th of March, 2022 .

The move to state positions on the break, according to the release was to protect the interest of the major stakeholders of the union, that’s the students.

The release read: “Following the 2-week mid-semester break announced by the University Management, the Union has made moves to ensure that students are not unnecessarily put into discomfort. This is coming as a result of worries expressed by many students.

” It will be recalled that the University Management yesterday, Saturday, 26 March 2022, announced a 2-week mid-semester break beginning tomorrow, Monday, 28 March 2022. The announcement has stirred arguments amongst students, with many students expressing concerns.

“For some students, it is difficult for them to deal with the financial implications of travelling home only to return in two weeks. For all the reasons that may be adduced to substantiate the mid-semester break, the Union maintains that the break must be observed in a way that does not adversely affect students who may choose not to go on break.

“OUR POSITIONS

“The Union, in an effort to ensure that students’ interests are protected have thus taken the following positions:

“1. That the mid-semester break must not be made compulsory for students and, as such, only those who wish to observe it should do so.

“2. That students who are not interested in going home be allowed to stay in their respective Halls without any form of forced eviction or intimidation.

“3. That the University Management should fulfil its obligations towards such students who may not go home for the semester break.