NEW DIRECTOR: Can We Expect Simultaneous Changes In The General Studies Courses?

By: Glorious Olajide

The appointment of Professor P. A Amosun as Director of the Centre for General Studies brings up the lingering discussion of reform for the General Studies programme at the University of Ibadan.

The General Studies Programme, established in the University of Ibadan in 1986, “enables (the students) acquire a body of relevant knowledge outside their respective fields of specialisation for successful living.” Also known as the necessary evil for every University of Ibadan student, the programme is due for some adjustments; as it is gradually becoming ineffective.

From issues like bulky textbooks to unavailable tutors, methods of teaching and others, complaints are never far from any discussion about GES. Although the goal is noble, getting there is another story. 

For instance, although most students who have gone through the Nigerian educational system know a little bit of French and the expectation is that GES 108- Introduction to French should not be less of a headache. The reverse is the case, as that little knowledge will come haunting since the curriculum expects that you understand and can deliver on conjugation, sound and accents, and proper use of articles among others in 3 months. A feat that might be possible if tutors were available on time, consistent in their efforts and show dedication to their tasks.

The same issues surround courses like GES 104 -Science, Industry and Mankind, GES 107- Reproductive Health, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV), GES 103- Government, Society and the Economy and the likes that have curriculums that test human capacity and do not make enough impression to aid “successful living” coupled with the fact that students who took courses in secondary school that are linked to the Arts, Humanities, The Social Sciences and Law, did not take a large consecration of courses linked to the sciences, making terminology in GES 107 and GES 104 ambiguous.

GES 105- Agriculture, Renewable Natural Resources, Animal Husbandry & Health textbook is a supporter of rote learning with chapter topics like Agricultural development process and land use, tenure and conservation in Nigeria, Fishery Management, Agronomy as a science and others fit to be paper topics or concepts for a field’s foundation.

The structure of these texts does not support self-study, since they talk at the reader and not to the reader, fear takes over and it is no longer about learning something beyond my field but passing something so it doesn’t spoil my grade.

The question now is that little knowledge could get you a 45 right? But who wants a D to spoil their Cumulative Grade Average? The University’s Administration saw a good thing, and they incorporated it, but if the purpose for which it was set is not being achieved why continue with the way it has been?

We must sit down with students, educators and administrators to find the best way to communicate this knowledge to students from various faculties and with different methods of learning so that GES does not remain that course, but courses that arm students with a body of relevant knowledge applicable to although, outside their respective fields of specialisation for successful living.

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