Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in Port Harcourt, Rivers State had outlawed the culture of lecturers appointing course representatives or leaders to liaise between students and lecturers within the institution, warning against extortion of students and ‘sorting’ after examination.
Sorting is a term used to describe the illicit behavior of students bribing lecturers for grades in tertiary institutions.
The university also sternly warned lecturers to desist from extorting students who buy recommended textbooks late.
The Senate of the university issued the warning in a memo dated August 28, 2024, signed by the acting registrar of the institution Dr. C. A. Ajie, and copied to the acting Vice Chancellor, Deans of Faculties, all Directors of Academic units, Public Relations Officer and the Student Union Government (SUG) President.
The Senate regretted that the ugly trend had portrayed the institution in a bad light, attracting negative publicity to the university, warning the lecturers to desist from the aforementioned activities or face stiff disciplinary measures.
The Senate noted that all students recommended textbooks should be sold only at the University bookshop at approved prices, promising that the university will soon set up a book review committee.
The university however encouraged students to boldly avail the university management useful information the would help in combating the menace through the Chairman of the Anti-Sorting Committee.
The Senate assured the Students that any report received will be treated confidentially.
The memo reads “The University Senate condemns in its entirety the alarming rate of illegal appreciations after examinations, extortions, charges for late buying of books, as well as inflating prices of textbooks, and fixing practicals arbitrarily in order to squeeze out money from students.
“These evils going on at the Faculties and Departments are done with impunity. All books should be sent to bookshops to be sold at the University approved prices.
“The University Senate will reconstitute Book Review Committee soon.
“These ugly acts have already been in the public domain and has portrayed the University in bad light as well as attracting negative publicity.
“The University Senate is hereby giving stern warning with effect from today, Wednesday, 28 August, 2024 to all Lecturers to desist from the aforementioned practices or face stiffer disciplinary measures.
“In addition, Course Rep. or Course Leader system has been abolished in the University.
“We encourage students to come out boldly and give useful reports to the University Management or the Chairman of Anti Sorting Committee with the following number 08033400185. Any report received would be treated as confidential.”
