UNIMAK Students Sue University Over Graduation Rights in Landmark Case

Final-year students at the University of Makeni (UNIMAK) recently filed a lawsuit against the institution in the High Court of Sierra Leone.

The students allege that a recent policy change is preventing them from participating in the 2024 undergraduate convocation ceremony, violating their right to education.

The lawsuit seeks to overturn the policy change and grant the students their right to graduate. Additionally, the students requested an injunction to temporarily halt the convocation ceremony, originally scheduled for March 16th, 2024.

While the judge denied the injunction, allowing the graduation to proceed, the core case will be heard at a later date. Lawyer Rashid Dumbuya, Executive Director of LEGAL LINK, representing the students, expressed immense pride in their actions despite the initial setback.

Dumbuya believes this lawsuit shatters a culture of impunity and paves the way for potential reforms within UNIMAK and other universities across Sierra Leone. He hopes the legal action by these students will incentivize efforts to ensure a more equitable educational environment.

Comment(s)

Disclaimer: Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Sierraloaded or any employee thereof.

| 2024-03-19 14:10:08

I hope the court will take this issue very seriously 👂 Unimak administrative are doing things on their own, without the standards of the country.
| 2024-03-18 14:01:24

Very good move, the university also did something bad that I won’t believe if such will happen🥺 they requested the sum of 100 Leone from graduate family relatives that went there for the graduation ceremony, it is very bad. However, it is important to acknowledge the positive aspects of the university's actions. It shows that they are actively taking steps to improve the quality of education and ensure that students have a memorable graduation experience. This move demonstrates their commitment to providing a well-rounded education and fostering a sense of community among students and their families. It is unfortunate that they have chosen to charge an additional fee for the graduation ceremony, as this may place an unnecessary financial burden on families. This decision may discourage some relatives from attending the ceremony, which could prevent them from witnessing this important milestone in their loved one's life. It would be more considerate if the university could find alternative ways to cover the costs associated with the ceremony without burdening the families financially. Regards Mohamed Jalloh
| 2024-03-18 12:39:44

The administrative body of these big universities in this country are frustrating the young ones from been educated, so disgusting, they always treat less privileged student like trash. Must everybody have a relative up there? Too bad, I hope this case is according to the law.
| 2024-03-18 11:49:48

I'm glad some university student are now aware of their rights. This is essential for all universities across Sierra Leone.
| 2024-03-18 11:08:45

This is a big disgrace for the students and the university