When access to lectures depends on a faulty transport system, learning becomes uncertain, and frustration becomes inevitable. For many students in recent weeks, attending lectures was not a matter of willingness but of whether the new transport system would not fail them again. Students experienced frustration at its peak and took to social media to express their grievances when physical complaints yielded no visible improvements.
The situation started as an act which everyone perceived to be total benevolence initially. Then, it spiralled into total chaos, frustration and anger. Students waiting in ridiculously long queues under the intense sun, and spending almost double the transportation amount from town, was not what was envisioned. Luckily, the Students’ Union came to the rescue. They raised students’ hopes, held an inconclusive congress, and the situation was back to square one. Spurred by the constant outpour of grievances by students again, they declared a 72-hour lecture boycott to issue a warning to the management. Also, they held another congress and constituted a negotiation committee. However, it seems the management is not shaken by ‘threats’. Let us be clear: this is not a logistics problem that spiralled out of control. It is a management failure that was allowed to happen.
The consequences of this mismanagement were felt deeply. The effects were numerous, detrimental and inhumane. Students spent a significant amount of time waiting for buses (due to a lack of drivers), they missed lectures and appointments because they could not commute, and at the end of the day, mental and emotional stress compounded upon academic despair. The management clearly did not think this through.
While the management fumbled, the Students’ Union tried to salvage the situation. This response was from a place of responsibility. The boycott was meant to draw the management’s attention to the issue and for them to find a lasting solution. Students are suffering, and the last resort was confrontation, which they executed well. On the other hand, we should acknowledge that the boycott left consequences in its wake. The academic calendar is disrupted, and students will be left to bear the brunt through rushed lectures, impromptu tests and crash readings. Also, the boycott did not provide a sustainable or long-term solution. Nevertheless, it was a legitimate and necessary response to a management that had repeatedly ignored less confrontational appeals.
That the management failed to plan adequately is beyond dispute. Transitioning into a new transport system requires adequate planning, putting proper structures in place and providing a smooth implementation and contingency plan. The management failed to anticipate the debilitating consequences of removing the old transport system. The evidence, plainly visible in the queues and eventual boycott, suggests this transition was implemented without adequate foresight.
Beyond One Incident
This failure does not exist in isolation. The consequences reach far beyond the problems of long queues. Student welfare is a crucial determining factor of academic success. When essential support systems such as transportation are unreliable, students face barriers that affect their attendance and punctuality. Beyond the physical challenge of getting to class, such disruptions also take a toll on concentration and mental readiness, as students will be preoccupied with the uncertainty of movement rather than academic engagement. Over time, repeated exposure to these conditions will lead to a decrease in motivation and create gaps in learning that will reflect in students’ overall performance.
Way Forward
The management needs to urgently review and fix the transportation issue, as it not only affects students but is also inconvenient for university staff and traders who do not have private vehicles. They must integrate experienced drivers into the system to improve operations. Also, the management should engage students in decision-making and feedback because it is the students who are mostly affected by reformations. A joint task force comprising student representatives, university staff and transport officials should be constituted to oversee implementation and provide progress updates. Students deserve transparency.
Conclusion
Ultimately, what unfolded during these past weeks was a reaction to a deep systemic failure. The inefficient transport structure has made access to lectures unpredictable, and if this situation is not promptly addressed and resolved, the cycle of frustration and academic disruption will only persist. The management must act with visible and measurable changes because students did not enrol in the university to fight for their right to reach their classrooms.