Op-ed: The Effect of Staff Protest in School; Positive or Negative

 By: Boluwaji Daso

Creating a better environment for learning and academic development is one of the primary objectives of tertiary institutions to ensure a harmonious and productive academic environment, which is also crucial for students, lecturers, and management to find alternative medium for communication and effective dialogue that do not compromise the core objectives of education.

Because the likes of an open society cannot sometimes function without the freedom to protest, but it is also important to recognize that not all protests result in progress. (A case study of LEKKI-TOLLGATE END SARS MASSACRE ‘20-10-20’). Well, this Article is not about the End-Sars Protest but about the ASUP protest in Osun State Polytechnic, Iree. Whereby all academic activities including the ongoing DPT examination were suspended following the suspension of the institution’s rector 

Without further ado, it's better to  discuss the disadvantages of school protests and emphasizing how they can interfere with education, challenge authority, and create disagreements among students and lecturers. Moreso, Students may frequently express their concerns and push for change by staging protests at schools when their desire to learn is undermine by the management of such school.

Creating a conducive environment for learning is expected to be a schools' initial goals.  However, the academic system can be severely compromised by school protests, particularly if they turn into unruly protests or strike action.  These interruptions frequently result in missed lectures, postponement of examinations, and a general abandonment of crucial learning time. Therefore, these factors may have a negative influence on the students who are really motivated to succeed in their studies.

In fact, staging a Protests at schools have the potential to unintentionally undermine the responsibilities and rules that keep a school in good order. The capacity of school management and lecturers to properly enforce regulations is compromised when students participate in protest activities that publicly or covertly flout school regulations. The general disciplinary framework of the school may be compromised as a result of this degradation of administration by promoting an atmosphere in which disrespect and disobedience are more acceptable.

Ospoly as a case study, the protest that led to the suspension of academic activities were caused by the ASUP members of the institution over the suspension of the institution rector by the government of Osun State. However, this protest had led many students stranded because of the strike that plagued the ongoing Daily Part-Time program examination wing of the institution recently, Putting the hope of many students at stake. 

Protests at schools can cause disputes and enmity among students and even among the larger school community. It may cause inconvenience and resentment when students take different stances on a particular issue.  These divisions might persist long after the protest, making it challenging for students to work together, share knowledge, and promote harmony within the school community. School protests can deepen already-existing differences while hindering the development of a pleasant learning environment rather than encouraging communication and understanding.

Although most student protests in schools begin with good intentions, they can soon escalate out of control and have unexpected repercussions. peaceful protests are prone to turning into clashes that are violent or instances of damage to property when emotions are high. Such incidents not only put students' lives in jeopardy but also damage the school's reputation in the community. Additionally,  protests may also lead to disciplinary sanctions, litigation, or harm to students' future settings

Similarly, it is possible to view student protests at schools as a means for them to exercise their democratic rights and voice their concerns, it is also important to take into account any possible negative outcomes. The disadvantages of using protests to voice disagreement may exceed their advantages sometimes, including disruptions to the environment for learning, disputes among students, and the possibility for escalated situations.  

It is essential for students, lecturers, and administrators to discover alternative communication and dialoguing connections that do not jeopardize the fundamental goals of education if they are to provide a peaceful and effective learning environment.