By Nasratu Kargbo
The authorities at Fourah Bay College (FBC) have banned “indecent” outfits worn by students. A notice issued by the Office of the Warden at FBC was critical of the dress code of particularly female students, and warned of disciplinary action against defaulting students.
The notice signed by the Warden of Students, Rev. Canon Jenner Buck, said disciplinary measures have been set for students that might not adhere to the law “. All students will be sent down if caught on campus and classroom indecently clad in attires that do not reflect the culture of the college and may also be sent to the disciplinary committee,” the notice reads.
It further states that “the habit of indecent exposure does not befit the status of university students”, adding that most students dress in a manner that paints an ugly picture of the university and that it is the duty of the university to train and produce men and women who are morally and culturally disciplined, and who can be emulated by the society.
Speaking to Politico, Haja Jeneba Jakitay said she was excited over the situation saying that some female colleagues do not dress decently. “Some wear crop tops which reveal their belly, others wear “bronx” jeans that reveal their legs, etc. this is too much,” she said.
Another student Saidu Jalloh said that the notice is timely, saying some female students dress in a manner that entices and distracts male lecturers. Jalloh further stated that it is a result of such conduct that causes female students to be subjected to sexual harassment.
However, Jalloh does not believe that the law can be enforced and stated: “FBC is too big and does not have one entrance or gate which will make monitoring easy for the university authorities, so it would be very difficult”.
But Mohamed M. J. Swaray another student believes that for such a law to take effect, the university administration should work closely with the lecturers. He explained that he has witnessed some lecturers say that they do not care about dress code and that the students were there to learn, though other lecturers hold opposing views and sometimes even warn students to dress properly. He advised that there should be consistency amongst lecturers to enforce the law.
Swaray said the law should also apply to lecturers, noting that some lecturers wear short trousers and slippers in class, which according to him is indecent and would also encourage students to do the same.
He recommended that the university set up a committee to monitor the students and some lecturers.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (26/01/22)
