Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) has been strict with its rules on indecent dressing in the school, with a senior lecturer in the School of Liberal Studies, Mr. Adekanola Layi, taking further disciplinary action against students who breach these rules. As part of his Law and Ethics course, Layi conducted a test for Final Year – Part Time students of Mass Communication Department, but sent some students out of his class due to their violation of the school’s code of dressing, depriving them of their right to take the test.
Many students were affected by Layi’s actions, with most guilty based on item four of the College’s rules on “Indecent dressing/posture and appropriate sanctions”. This rule attracts a penalty of “first offender – advice; second offender-warning; while third offender-one semester suspension”. Many students were left uncomfortable and frustrated by the incident.
According to one student in the class, Samuel, Layi separated the boys and girls in the class, with the boys sitting on one row on the right and the girls on the other row on the left. Those who did not meet the school’s standard of dressing, such as those with colored hair or different hairstyles, were sent out of the class.
Another student who was sent out of the class expressed their frustration with the situation. They stated that their hair was not dreadlock but rather dada, which is a child born with dreadlocks or twisted hair, but Layi still asked them to leave. Many students are now confused as to what exactly constitutes an appropriate haircut in YABATECH.
The students who were sent out of the class are now overwhelmed with mixed feelings, wondering if Layi will conduct a make-up test or not, as the action would determine their result as Final Year students of the College.
In a memo released on December 29, 2022, through the office of the Registrar, the College announced the “Academic Board Decision On Report Of Committee On Indecent Dressing/Posture And Appropriate Actions”. The decision was made after a closed-door meeting by the academic board on Tuesday, November 8, 2022.
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Jerome Kalu
Jerome Kalu is currently the Senior Correspondent of PIJAlance in Lagos. He was previously the Campus Information Desk (CID) Editor.