By: Tundé Jr. Adebayo.
The subject of the insurance policy in the Polytechnic, Ibadanhas stirred many quarters and it is in itself a volatile compound. It is a pressing issue that does just not go away despite its removal last October. This has caused all forms of altercation amongst all involved, but, since we familiar with all these, we will just skip through.
We are in the 2nd decade of the 21st century. A lot of time has passed since the establishment of this citadel, and the world has seen greater change in the way things are being done. Etiquette have broadened and necessities had heightened. The world population had grown rapidly from just about one billion in the nineteen century to almost eight billion in 2021. The competition has skyrocketed.
The system figured the right answer by suggesting equity which the insurance policy would provide. A level playing ground for all subjects. The truth is, not everyone is privilege to afford the norms and, certainly, things do not go on endlessly. People loss sponsors, means of livelihood, and other things that could adversely affect their standard of living. Take a student for example, whose parent lost his means of livelihood during the COVID-19 pandemic and can no longer afford to child education. The failsafe, insurance, was supposed to step in to sponsor such child. That was the idea.
But then October 14th happened, and the unfortunate events that followed. The Students’ Leaders had this option removed in the spirit of aluta. Now, I cannot fault them fighting for what they thought was right. After all, the system understands what it means to be a youth and the damage youthful exuberance could cause. That being said, one could blame this overzealousness in the needless politicking that somehow was the undertone of the entire saga.
No to open old wounds, but many students have dropped out due to the economic effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on the country. There are cases of this that I have been made aware of, one is of a certain Miss Ola, who shared with me bitterly how she had to withdraw because she could not cope financially. Unfortunately, the one option that would have saved her admission had been unceremoniously scrapped at the request of those meant to protect her.
It did come to my rain of thought that many did not support the outright removal of this policy, a few like the President himself, Comrade Fadare Blessing. It was easier to assume, at that moment, that he had ulterior motives with the way things played out. However, whatever he stood to gain had little effect on the populace than the pain of watching ones’colleague fall along the roadside. Now I’m not amongst those who would crucify an innocent man, after all, ‘ain’t guilty until the judge says so.’ and since I’m not a judge or an investigator, I cannot categorically say Fadare’s conservative stance on the removal the policy had a hidden agenda.
He for one tried to demand reforms for the policy. And as I recall correctly, he stood up and asked for a reform before the consensus vetoed the removal. Thereafter, there was a small tussle on the returning of this said payment back to the students’ portal but at a subsidised amount, this was met with vigorous disapproval, and just like that, the matter never saw the light of the day. Up until this moment, several parties are left discontented about this matter, but do not have the will to visit it. Yet, this crisis has hurt so many more.
To make matters worse, up until this moment, the said money hasn’t been cleared for refund, and students are already grumbling that they’ve paid for service they won’t get. The ones that hurt them even more is the lack of internet access (what reputable school would not be able to boast of internet access in this global world were everything revolve around the web? I daresay the management shouldn’t have giving-in to the whims of the leaders who even demanded this as it is demeaning and ignorant.)
One that comes vividly to mind was the collapse of one Mr. Francis at the entrance of the Orisun Hall of Residence. According to certain corners, the school would have loved to help more than they did, but their hands were tied due to the present condition with the TSA and removal of insurance.
Now we can see the adverse effects of the removal, and we realise that in a standard school in the 21st century, there is need for insurance. However, the structure might need staunch transparency and fluidity (perhaps making it optional but juicy would still have had several students flocking to the bursary). Truth of the matter is that it is required, but with active participation of the students so that they would see and know that it is not a fraud.
It is not in my place to demand, or even ask, that the policy be returned. Still, I feel it is a basic requirement of an institute of higher learning, and there are several ways it can be done to make it economical. (e. g. adding it to the already compounded medical fee; dropping the price down till its affordable; dropping its mandatory tag) and the management and student’s leader should go out of their luxury to orientate the ignorant students why this is necessary.
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