Kwara Poly suspends lecturer for beating IJMB exam candidates

Kwara State Polytechnic has suspended a lecturer after a video surfaced showing him physically assaulting candidates of the Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB) programme. The footage, which circulated widely on social media, depicted the lecturer caning several candidates as they knelt with their hands raised.

“

A lecturer in Kwara State Polytechnic asked IJMB students to kneel down and he beat them up with a cane. Such act is condemnable. Students are not animals and should never be treated as such. There are different ways to punish erring students, not beating them up.

The incident drew immediate condemnation online, with many questioning the use of corporal punishment in higher education and demanding action. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) President, Akinteye Babatunde, called the act unacceptable, emphasizing that students should not be treated like animals and that lecturers do not have the right to assault them.

“

As much as students must never assault lecturers or act rudely to them, lecturers don’t also have the right to assault students. I hereby call on the Kwara State Polytechnic management to investigate this issue and sanctions should be made where necessary.

The polytechnic's management clarified that the individuals in the video were IJMB candidates, not enrolled polytechnic students, who were late for their examinations. While the exact reason for the lecturer's actions remains under investigation, the institution firmly condemned the method, stating it was inappropriate and that the polytechnic opposes all forms of violence and physical punishment. The institution affirmed its commitment to fostering a culture of respect and constructive engagement in the learning environment.

“

The students depicted in the video are not Polytechnic students but rather IJMB (Interim Joint Matriculation Board) candidates who arrived late for their ongoing examinations.