Sign out culture: insidious factor among graduating students
By Gloria David
The Sign-out culture has become a time-honored tradition in our tertiary institutions today, especially because the phenomenon has become a rite of passage for graduating students in many tertiary institutions across Nigeria. Sign-out culture is celebrated by students of tertiary institutions to mark the end of their studies in school which is been done every year or at the end of every session.
During this period, student invite their love ones to celebrate with them while some utilize the period as a time to make marriage proposals that will make topics of discussion all over the varsity community. Parents, well-wishers, and friends are also seen around the school environment identifying with their children or friends. Some come bearing gifts, cakes, and even a uniform attire to show that they are celebrating a loved one. The sign out periods are usually groovy, colorful with so many events happening within the school environment.
However, because some students get carried away by the euphoria of the moment, safety measures are often relegated and as such, some students lose their lives just because of over excitement, reckless driving within and outside the school environment, while others due to too much intake of alcohol and drugs just in the name of celebrating their exit from school.
It was reported that in Abia state, last month, some students of the Abia state university in the spirit of celebrating their exit from school were involved in an auto crash which has dampened the spirit of the remaining students and thereby defeating the aim of the celebrations.
Studies have also shown that some students tend to prepare or give more attention to their exit from school than preparing for their final exams which is the most paramount thing in their academics. Also, at this point in time, research has proven that some female students get involved in all sort of immoral behavior or activities thereby losing their lives, chastity, getting pregnant out of wedlock, just to get money and be outstanding during the sign out.
With the sign out scenario, the education standard in tertiary institutions today is gradually eroding school for some students has become more of fashion than what was obtainable in the time past. No wonder, some students cannot defend their certificates in the labor market because there has not been that level of seriousness in them to enable them become intellectually and morally buoyant.
It is a known fact, that the graduands of 90’s cannot compare themselves with the present generation considering the level of decadence in the current educational system and the laziness of students is at a peak.
To this end, it is said that charity begins at home, hence, parents should get involved in advising their children on the need to study, dress, and represent the family well at school while the students also should know that they are in school to study and come out with good results that will better their future. They should also know that the entire school system is not all about groves and colorful sign-outs which will amount to nothing thereafter.
Religious bodies should sensitize students in their places of worship on the need for them to take their studies serious and focus on passing their exams rather than preparing for sign-out celebration ceremonies alone. The students should not allow the spirit of sign out override their sense of reasoning; by doing so, it will go a long way to help them read to understand that they are in to school to study, behave well and leave the school without any form of regret after graduation.
