Freedom in tertiary school environment not limitless

The Ho Polytechnic Monday commenced a five-day intensive orientation for its fresh students with a caution that the extensive freedom characterizing tertiary school environment is not limitless.

Professor Emmanuel Sakyi, new Rector of the Polytechnic stressed that the relative freedom of “no rising bells, time for meals and studies,” represented a test of “self-discipline, commitment and endurance”.

He said they could “catch the fun out there but blend it with assiduous studies” so that they “will not leave this noble institution with regret”.

The Rector said the onus was now on the students to manage their time, food, social and religious life and dress code.

Professor Sakyi said recent occurrences of fresh students going on radio with grievances which could be better dealt with by the Dean’s office, was misplaced and should not happen again.

“The Dean of Students and the supporting staff of his office will always be ready to be of good help and your best source of support,” he said.

Mr Ben Hoenyenugah, Dean of students, said there were core values of discipline and respect for all which students must strive for, as the institution create a “congenial environment for intellectual exchange and individual expression through orientation, mentoring, counseling and other exemplary programmes”.

Mr David Dzontoh, Registrar, said the Polytechnic, established under legal instrument, had structures from top to bottom.

He said there were strict protocols governing the admission and registration process and that, students only entered the institution on merit.

“This is an institution of equal opportunities with no discrimination on the basis of sex, religion or political inclination,” Mr Dzontoh stated.

Mr Kennedy Deh, Finance Officer, said the Polytechnic was running a cashless system and demanded students to kept records of all transactions.

Mr Robert Biscoff, a Hall Master, said students residing in and out of campus were affiliated to residential halls of the Polytechnic.

He said among the rules governing stay at the hostels was that no student should engage in sex in the rooms, normally shared by up to six students.

Mr Walter Adoboe, Student Representative Council (SRC) Vice-President, said the (SRC) would not hold brief for any student engaged in examinations malpractices.

Andrews Dzogbetaku, acting Head of Security took the student through safety tips developed by his outfit, including avoiding shortcuts.

He said students should also resist making or receiving calls in dark alleys at odd times and watching for stalkers.

Mr Dzogbetaku said reports to the Police should be routed through school authorities.

Mrs Patience Glauh-Jeh, a Lecturer, who took the students through grooming observed that a well-groomed person had confidence and walked tall.

She said appearance reflected ones values and that it was men with the penchant for keeping their boxer pants unwashed who had them visibly sticking under their loins and beyond, in between their drooping jeans and tops.

“Men with neat boxers don’t have that inclination to show them,” Mrs Glauh-Jeh stated.

She said dressing and make-ups must match the occasion and that it was wrong for girls to do heavy make-ups for lectures.

“If you must put on make-ups for lectures, must be toned down. Don’t come to lectures looking as if going to a disco or as a corpse,” Mrs Glauh-Jeh stated.

There was also a talk on the Ebola virus, mode of contraction and prevention.

The Polytechnic with the collaboration of the Volta Regional office of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) mounted a desk to run for three days to register all students without health insurance cards.

Other areas to be tackled during the orientation include, Library Services and Information Retrieval- Rights, Responsibilities and Obligations of polytechnic students-operations of the Students’ Loan Trust Fund, (SLTF) and Overview of Students Affairs Section

The rest are Academic Progression and Jobs, How to Study and Excel and education on HIV and AIDS.