A 300-level medical student at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Benin State, has frowned at the institution for asking students to sign an undertaking while sitting for their Part 1 MBBS examination.
The student identified online as #poeticmedic lamented that signing such an undertaking could prolong the duration of students in the school to over 12 years.
In the undertaking, the students were required to agree to three conditions: wait for available space to continue their course; enrol in an 18-month BSc programme in Anatomy or Physiology to stay occupied; and commit to regular fee payments during the waiting period.
Sharing the undertaking on his X handle, the student wrote: “Forcing students to sign an undertaking like this on the day of their exam is madness. Even cults don’t operate like this. You’re asking people who have already spent five years in the school to sign away their future and every opportunity to get justice?
“These are children with dreams. How can a school be so shameless? They paid their fees, paid all the money you asked for, the government paid your salaries, and this is how you’re going to treat your students? Is it because your children are not here? Are we not someone’s child?
“The undertaking also prohibits students from engaging in protests or acts that could harm the college and university’s image. The directive was issued on the day of their examination.”
According to him: “The conditions in the undertaking are as stated below:
“I hereby undertake as follows:
“1. After my Part 1 MBBS (Professional) Examination, I will undertake an 18-month intercalated BSc programme in Anatomy or Physiology in the College of Medicine.
“2. I will wait until anytime there is space for me to proceed to clinical (400 level) before I will do so.
“3. I will continue to pay school fees as a medical student.”
