Some students, alumni and associates of University and Unity Halls of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), have submitted a petition to the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Chancellor of the University over the recent conversion of the halls into mixed.
According to them, they want the Asantehene to direct the university to suspend plans to convert the halls to mixed residences.
A representative of the King received the petition.
[contextly_sidebar id=”AAWeaLDnv8FUcUllTwXyues15DPk0AiF”] The petitioners earlier today [Friday], demonstrated and marched through the principal streets of Kumasi in protest of the conversion.
This follows an earlier demonstration that was staged in Accra.
Some of the protesters who spoke to Citi News said the decision by management is an insult to student activism.
“They [management] want to bring a policy that will not augur well with the students, but we will always stand up and fight them. That is why we are on the streets. They don’t want us to express our views that is why we are pleading with Otumfuo, the chancellor to talk to that autocratic Vice-chancellor.”
Another believes school authorities have misplaced their priorities.
“If you want to admit more females into the University, why do you convert Africa Hall into mixed again? It means the policy is wrong… They [management] are not putting their things right.”
No more single-sex halls, KNUST converts all into mixed
Authorities of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), have converted all traditional halls of the school into mixed halls.
The halls include the all-female hall, Africa Hall.
This means that, with effect from the 2018/19 academic year, all six halls of residence of the University have been converted into mixed halls.
The decision comes at a time when the alumni and residents of the University and Unity Halls are battling with the University over the conversion of the all-male halls into mixed halls.
But according to management, it took the decision “in line with the university’s policy of periodic review of Residential Accommodation for students.”
It noted that “the University’s policy of expanding access to female students remain unchanged.”
Conversion of halls senseless, we’ll fight it – Katanga Alumni
Alumni of the University Hall popularly referred to as Katanga at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), say they will fight the University’s decision to convert the hall into a mixed one with all arsenals at their disposal.
Nana Otu Turkson, a spokesperson of the Katanga Alumni, described the decision as myopic.
“That decision doesn’t make sense. It is not backed by any research. There is a plethora of academic work on the advantages of men and women getting education…it just doesn’t make sense.”
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By: Nii Larte Lartey/citinewsroom.com/Ghana
