By: Sonaike Peter

At the University of Ibadan, students frequent between the dilemma of overlapping lecture schedules. Hardly does a generation of students skip track of such train of experience. Coinciding lecture schedules, as it is the case of some students, toughen academic routines and upset its excellence. The experience for those who can tell is a scene of premature exit from one class to another ongoing one. In some cases, between long or bothering distances.

Overlying classes schedule not only hampers ability to fully grasp the materials taught by lecturers, its consequential effect includes normalizes students missing critical academic events.

For instance, on Monday, July 14th, a required class in the Faculty of Education coincided with an impromptu test in the Faculty of Social Sciences. Students from the Faculty of Education enrolled in that particular Social Sciences course simply missed the assessment worth some marks.

This situation has remained a major challenge for students of the Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan, who recently completed teaching practice experience but with a backlog of three weeks classes concluded.

Worst of all was an incident two weeks ago where some students from the Faculty of Education attempted to switch from a Political Science class to another, within their faculty. Their attempt was barred with a warning by the lecturer that “any impact on their results would not be the department’s responsibility”, stressing further the strain issue of poorly coordinated timetables.

Several students, including Akinola Israel, a penultimate student of Arts and Social Sciences Education, have expressed frustration over timetable conflicts affecting their classes. Akinola, who also takes political science courses, shared with IndyPress how scheduling issues have personally impacted him.

He noted that arriving late to STE353 classes significantly affected his test performance. Despite lodging complaints, no actions have been taken to resolve the issue, he noted. He emphasized the response from the Head of Political Science, who stated an inability to adjust the timetable to accommodate their needs, suggested instead that their faculties should find a solution.

“The impact of the clashing schedule was evident today in the test done, whereby I wasn’t able to really get some questions rightly in the STE 353 test held today because it’s clashing with Pos 313 on Fridays,” Akinola narrated his experience.

“The timetable urgently needs adjustment. I’m concerned because our complaints have gone unanswered, and the Head of Political Science informed us that he cannot make timetable changes to meet our needs. He said that our faculty should handle any necessary adjustments,” he added.

Favour, a sophomore Law student, lamented about the need to often leave GES 201 class for GES105, especially amidst frequent rain showers. This challenge has significantly impacted his mental health, prompting him to advocate for timetable adjustments from the school management.

“The clash of these two classes on Thursdays has been quite challenging. I have to rush from GES201, which finishes at 6 pm, to make it to GES 105 at 5pm,” Favour recalled.

“As someone who is mindful of emotional well-being, these clashes, combined with adverse weather conditions, are detrimental to my classmates, especially those with health issues exacerbated by rain. As a concerned student, I urge the University management to reschedule timetables appropriately. This adjustment would help us balance our academic and health needs,” he added.

Aloba Jonathan, a penultimate student of Arts and Social Sciences Education, who also takes a course in the department of Social Sciences, highlighted how timetable clashes have affected his ability to understand his courses.

Jonathan recalled an incidence during his second year when his classes clashed leading to missed lectures, which impacted his academic performance negatively. He questioned the effectiveness of faculty management in coordinating lecture schedules that prioritize student needs.

“This ongoing timetable conflict has sadly become commonplace at the University of Ibadan. Why must classes consistently overlap? What step is the Faculty management taking to ensure a more student-friendly timetable?” Jonathan questioned the concern.

“I urge management to take decisive action because I’m exhausted by this situation,” he added.

Corroborating the above, Kingsley, a 300 level student from the Faculty of Education, voiced his discontent regarding the difficulty he faces in adjusting to his course materials. Having completed his teaching practice program, Kingsley finds himself grappling with overlapping schedules in his teaching course lectures and other faculty classes. His frustration however peaked when he missed a Political Science impromptu test due to these recurring clashes. Anxious about the implications and longing for a resolution, Kingsley appealed to the school administration to address the issue.

“I feel overwhelmed by the constant clashing classes. After completing my teaching practice, these scheduling issues have disrupted my academic balance. I urge the school administration to intervene and find a solution,” Kingsley said.

Accustomed to the concern, Oluwabunmi, a 300-level student of Special Education, who also takes a course, this time around English, in the Faculty of Arts, described timetable clashes as a ‘regular occurrence’, as it had become a homegrown concern.

“Timetable clashing is something we are accustomed to in the University of Ibadan. It’s nothing new to us,” Oluwabunmi said.

It is crucial to note that while timetable clashes are widespread, its frequency does not justify its continuation. Its persistence, detrimental to students, reflects broader challenges within the Nigerian education system.

UI’SU Intervention – “Evade Some, Shift Some”

The Vice President of the Students’ Union, Nafisat Aboderin, interacting with IndyPress acknowledged the prevalence of clashing lecture schedules. Her intervention she recommended was directed to students to bring the concern to the awareness of their Faculty management.

“Classes always clash. That’s a known thing. They need to evade the ones they can and discuss with the lecturers of the courses that are compulsory so the ones that can be shifted will be,” the Vice President explained.

The Vice President hinged on meeting with the Dean of Students, Professor Keye Abiona, to discuss the matter further.

Later, the Vice President informed Indypress that she had spoken with the Dean of Students, who assured that he would convey the students’ concerns to faculty management for resolution.

“I have discussed the matter with the Dean of Students, and he has agreed to inform faculty management about the issues raised by concerned students,” she confirmed.

Given her role as stated in Section 8 of the Students’ Union constitution, which designates her as the chairperson of the Academic and Library Committee, the responsibility falls on the Vice President to foster the academic interest within the Students’ Union.

UI Students Affairs Versus Clashing Classes – “Aware, And At Heart”

In an interview with Indypress, the Dean of Students of University of Ibadan, Professor Keye Abiona noted that faculty managements are responsible for addressing timetable clashes.

Drawing from his experience as a lecturer, he recounted similar challenges faced by his own students, which he resolved by adjusting their timetables. He expressed his commitment to doing everything within his means to address students’ concerns.

“The Vice President has brought this issue to my attention, so I am fully aware of it. It’s crucial for students to communicate their concerns to faculty management. We have the interest of the students at heart” the Dean stated.

Premised on the urgency of the matter, especially as it is already the 6th week of the academic session, the need for concerned faculty or department managements to take prompt action(s) in resolve of the concern cannot be overemphasized. Unresolved timetable clashes may negatively impact students’ academic performance and outcomes.

It is important that all stakeholders; the Dean of Students, Professor Keye Abiona; the Students’ Union Vice President, Nafisat Aboderin; as well as the management of affected faculties, to collaborate effectively in resolving the difficulty with regards to classes and courses clashing overtime.