Tegist (not her real name) is a student at a university in Ethiopia.  She was on the threshold of graduating with a degree in Psychology but has had her dreams of post college success cruelly interrupted with a failing grade for a class she knows she should have done well in.  Gripped with disbelief at the grade her instructor had given her, she approached him to inquire about what could have possibly gone wrong and was promptly told to appear in his office after school hours. 

Upon arriving at his office, she found out that what her instructor wanted from her, academic performance was never going to satisfy.  In a shockingly carefree manner, he said he had ‘feelings’ for her and hinted that unless they ‘spent some time together off campus’ the circumstance her grades found themselves in would not change in the least bit.  Tegist could not believe her ears.  The man before her is one of the most popular instructors on campus; his classes are always full and he seems to get along with every student.  Yet here he was asking her to essentially sell her body to get the grades which she rightfully deserved anyway.  Conflicting thoughts ran through her mind; should she give in to his request and what would she lose if she did?  Graduating with her friends of 4 years is something she desperately wants to do but what would her parents think if they knew what she did?  Thinking to herself, “He is an intelligent, educated human being.  He can’t possibly hurt me in this way out of such selfish motivation,” she tries to reason with the instructor but to no avail.

She left the office not ready to accept the options that she was presented with. After much deliberation, she went to the dean’s office of her department and explained her particular set of problems.  Although the dean promised to review her academic record and grades for the particular class, he cautioned that he could not promise any action since things could basically boil down to a ‘he said, she said’ scenario.   Although the actual inquiry into this affair did take place, the instructor who was the target of the investigation immediately caused a great stir by accusing the dean of taking the side of the student in the case and doubting the integrity of a faculty member.  The dean had the option of conducting a thorough investigation through the academic commission (a committee that is formed by faculty members and student representatives that can look into various matters including those involving sexual harassment) but instead chose to drop the matter entirely.  By this time, the writing was on the wall for Tegist and she had no option but to retake the class and graduate the following semester which she did.

The above mentioned experience is one of the many abuses that are going on in colleges and higher education institutes across the country. In fact, Tegist was lucky that the only thing at stake here was the timing of her graduation.  For many others, staying in school may be what’s in jeopardy.  Although the actual number of proper investigations is very small, the number of incidents that reportedly occur are numerous with no signs of decline.  For many girls who’ve gone through college, that such travesties occur on a very regular basis, is common knowledge.  The lack of legal infrastructure and indeed the will to do something about this problem have no doubt contributed to the spread of the problem and a feeling on behalf of the students that nothing can be done about it.  In many cases where such incidents have been reported, it is usually the student who pays the price for doing so while the instructors involved usually get off scot free. 

On the other hand, instructors are not the only ones on campus looking to use sex in some illicit fashion.  Students (in particular girls) are definitely in on the action.  One instructor interviewed for this story (not willing to be identified) recounts an incident in which one of his female students requested a review of her grades because she felt they could be improved.  Upon arriving at his office, she immediately began to openly flirt with him and made it quite obvious what she was up to whereupon he asked her to leave his office at once.  In the days that followed, the student made it a point to go around and tell other students and faculty that he had sexually harassed her. 

Both of the scenarios described in this article could actually be two sides of the same coin.   This speaks to the difficulty around putting in place a fair and equitable system by which grievances can be brought forth and judiciously decided.  Faculty members generally acknowledge the lack of proper guidance to students and teachers alike not to mention insufficient avenues for recourse in the case of grievance.  Pessimistically, they also feel that this is an aspect of life in Ethiopian colleges that has been so entrenched, dramatic change in it should probably not be expected.  Cultural and attitudinal changes that clearly outline relationships between students and teachers based on mutual respect, are definitely called for on both sides of the equation.  But at the end of the day, a stronger legal framework that does much more to protect the rights students and teachers alike, is sorely needed.
 

Comments (1)

Corporate Strategy Consultant
written by Amin Assi, Ph.D. , January 01, 2010

The heaviest burden is definitely shouldered by the ladies. It is their dignities and their freedom at stake. Although much of the inconsiderate least professional University staff are to blame for their irresponsible lust for adventure, furthermore:

1. Serious honorable ladies should lobby for legislation and a legal frame-work for moral protection to create a shield of rights' defense;
2. Group action supported by righteous men as well is required to teach some adventurists on both sides some life-time lessons of virtue and self-respect;
3. Outrageous promiscuous behavior on campus should be grounds for reprimands and even temporary dismissal from semester;
4. Awareness propagation through publications and regular lectures on campus.