The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has expressed support for the enforcement of the University of Professional Studies, Accra’s (UPSA) dress code policy, provided it aligns with the institution’s regulations.
This comes after the university has come under public scrutiny after several students were reportedly sent away from lecture halls earlier this week for failing to adhere to the school’s approved dress code.
Speaking on the matter on Radio Univers’ Campus Exclusive, NUGS President Daniel Botchway said while the union supports the policy, it is keeping a close eye on how it is being enforced to ensure that students’ dignity is upheld.
“NUGS believes that, so far as these are guidelines that students signed up to upon admission, the university has every right to enforce them,” he said, but added, “Except that how it is being enforced can be looked at. We support the regulations, but we believe enforcement must be humane and without humiliation. The dignity of students also matters.”
Addressing a widely circulated video that appeared to show a student being forcibly removed, Botchway clarified that NUGS’ background checks suggest the clip may be misleading.
“That particular incident did not involve a student being withdrawn from a lecture hall. According to our findings, the student was being relocated after an altercation,” he explained. “Those seen outside had already been sent out for dress code violations. The student in question was being moved to another area for the issue to be addressed.”
He encouraged students to view the dress code as part of their preparation for life beyond school.
“You should be able to dress appropriately because you are preparing for the transition into the professional and corporate world,” he said.
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Story by Kwadwo Owusu Anane |univers.ug.edu.gh.
Edited by Michelle Lartey
