"The – Great Fourah Bay College, Citadel of Learning, Athens of West Africa and Centre of Academic Excellence, Beacon of Light of Education in Africa, Pride of Sierra Leone , etc, …"- this was how FBC was referred to in the greater part of the 20th Century. Yes, we were so proud of "our" FBC that the mere mention of its name and "us" being students were enough to instill fear in others and make them bow.
- Ikhide
Unfortunately, the current FBC is totally different and the tears flowing from its eyes are asking just a single question- why? This is because FBC has not been given the attention it deserves in recent times and of the 3 constituent colleges of the University of Sierra Leone, FBC (including its environs) is on a life support machine, and it has been in such a state for almost 6 years now.
The entire infrastructure is completely decrepit – you name them – the buildings are completely dilapidated with no renovations for a long time now; the library is a mini pool during the raining season; the tiles in the EJ Hall (newly constructed few years ago) and Chemistry building (another floor has been recently added to the original building) have resurrected; the physics theatre and the engineering department are in a state of paralysis. To compound these ugly scenes, FBC is the only college in the world where a college is not a college, for there have been no accommodation facilities for students over the past 5 years.
The "Great" Blocks of A, C, G, E, M, H and J and the beautiful Lati Hyde and Beethoven have completely deteriorated. Scrambling for chairs and tables amongst students; and clamouring for lecture halls amongst lecturers have now become a norm at FBC – one reason being the increase in the student population over time has not equaled the available infrastructure which have almost remained constant. This mismatch has created tension between students and lecturers on one hand; and friction between lecturers and the Administration on the other."
- Denis M. Sandy
- Ikhide
No comments:
Post a Comment