Ojo-lanre Ooreofe.
William Crawford once said, being a student is easy. Learning requires actual work.” While this may have a lot of semblance to the whole truth, I interpret this differently. Schools in general are meant to imbibe morals and knowledge in children, youths, and adults. However, we live in a highly challenging world with lots of financial implications.
Learning requires actual work in that it entails studying, practical, tests, and examinations. However, learning itself is changing. Learning is now longer limited to the four walls of the classroom anymore. Universities have to adopt and build a whole man who is adaptable to changing environments. Learning must go beyond theories but must include ability to be industry complaint
There are several ways universities are doing this today. Some have industrial attachment while others embrace what is called the “Work study program”.
The federal Work-Study Program was established by the US Congress as part of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 and later incorporated under The Higher Education Act of 1965. Its purpose is the promotion of part-time employment for students with financial need to achieve three main goals.
These goals include (1)to assist students in earning money to meet their educational costs,(2)to provide work experience related to the student’s chosen academic major or career field and lastly to improve relations between the University and the community that benefits and engenders a sense of social responsibility, commitment, and connection to the community.
One of the major reasons behind the scheme is to unburden the university/college students of school loans. The belief is that this initiative will strengthen and encouraged well-balanced students who are able to enjoy their education without heavy financial burden.
In Nigeria, one of the universities that had adopted this program is Dominion University. The programme is channeled through the Director of Academic study who oversees this project.
Since inception, at least 30 students have passed through this program. These students have been empowered to earn money which is able to help them solve some immediate financial needs which had helped them to go through their education pursuit.
While there are several criteria to be met to be able to qualify for this program. One fundamental factor is the ability of the student to be emotionally mature to a level that s/he must be able to balance the work with your studies. Beneficiaries must also maintain a certain CGPA as well as being diligent.
In addition, students who are enrolled in this programme must and can only work for a certain number of hours per week. While the programme allows flexibility in choices of hours to work, a beneficiary cannot participate in more than one study group. Attendance is also marked every time so as to ensure fairness, equity in terms of payment. Beyond attendance, such students must deliver on every aspect of the job description.
Dominion University Students( Photo Credit: DU)
One good thing about the programme is that it is open to all financially unstable students. IIn an interview with one of the beneficiary students, Umole-Idris Winner, she explained that before a student is accepted into the programme, the individual must fulfil all the criteria of acceptance into the programme. According to Winner, “After my full engagement process, my job station is at the library where my job primarily is to catalogue”. “Aside from the book catalogue, I also keep records of books during my work schedule”, Winner concluded.
Bakare Emmanuel, another final-year student of the school, who had also been engaged through the Work-study programme, revealed that the program helped tremendously in combating his financial issues.
Bakare said “I have to develop the ability to balance my work-study program with my studies in school. This was not easy at the initial stage but with the help of God, I am able to overcome the challenges”.
In an interview with the Registrar of school registrar, Dr. Fortune revealed that the work-study program is meant to cater for the financial needs of students. As we know this is a private university where the fees may be slightly different from what is obtainable in public funded universities.
The goal is also to support indigent students. Dr Fortune said “With the understanding of the economic situation in the country, the management instituted this programme when the university commenced operation”.
Going further on the details, “He further stated that the work-study program in itself is beneficial to both the university and the students as the university also tap into students’ manpower to cover human resources shortfall” Dr. Fortune concluded.
