By: Hamza Lansah Lolly/ Baba Mohammed Issahaq
Parliament on Tuesday witnessed a spirited contribution from the Member of Parliament for Walewale , Hon. Dr. Abdul Kabiru Mahama Tiah, as he argued for greater independence for student governance bodies in tertiary institutions.
Speaking during deliberations on a proposed amendment to Clause 36(3a) of the University Bill, Dr. Kabiru called for the deletion of a portion of the clause that subjects the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) constitution to the approval of the university’s academic board.
“Mr Speaker, I’m proposing the deletion of the phrase ‘subject to the approval of the academic board,’ so that the new rendition will simply read: ‘to be drawn up and approved by the students,’” Hon. Kabiru said.
He explained that the SRC, as an independent association of the student body, must not have its constitution subjected to the authority of the academic board.
“In a sense, doing so cripples the independence of that particular association,” he argued.
The Walewale MP further pointed out that Clause 36(B) already provides consistency with the broader laws of the university, reinforcing the need to allow students to govern themselves without unnecessary external interference.
“We are dealing with the constitution of the SRC, the governing body of the students. It is only fair and democratic that they are solely responsible for determining how they operate,” he emphasised.
The proposal sparked conversation among legislators, some of whom acknowledged the need to protect the autonomy of student leadership structures while maintaining alignment with university regulations.
