In a viral video seen by SaharaReporters on Tuesday, one of the school’s security guards was overheard telling students that starting from tomorrow (today), students will no longer be allowed to come into the school compound wearing slippers.
The Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, popularly known as YABATECH, has banned students of the college from wearing slippers or flip-flops to school.
The ban starts from Tuesday, August 9, 2022, SaharaReporters has learnt.
In a viral video seen by SaharaReporters on Tuesday, one of the school’s security guards was overheard telling students that starting from tomorrow (today), students will no longer be allowed to come into the school compound wearing slippers.
"From tomorrow, no more wearing of slippers to school. We will deny you access if you come here wearing slippers. It’s either you put on sandals or shoes; if you come here tomorrow with slippers, we will deny you access. Make una (sic) no blame me oh," the guard said.
The school located in Yaba, Lagos was founded in 1947. It is Nigeria's first higher educational institution.
Meanwhile, the ban has generated mixed reactions on Twitter.
Some praised the decision while some others condemned it, describing it as harsh considering the economic situation of the country and that many students of the college could barely afford to buy text books let alone shoes.
A Twitter user with the handle @AdaUbakala tweeted, "Good Morning, why is the Yabatech Management telling students they can't wear slippers, but sandals and shoes to school from tomorrow, 9th August, 2022?! What type of faux classist and elitist school rule is this? @NigEducation.
"At all. Many of them can't even afford books and the management wants to stop them from acquiring education because of what their footwear look like?"
https://twitter.com/AdaUbakala/status/1556542486310428672?t=NmMJxXvAaoQ3P_kIkHMKFw&s=19
Another Twitter user, @Dreyfuzzy however, applauded the decision of the management of the school, saying, "No no no... let us not encourage mediocrity. If u can pay ur school fees, u should try to save and buy a modest pair of shoes. Must not be brand new. A fairly used decent pair can suffice. If u dont wear tattered clothes I dont see why u can't extend the favor down to ur feet."
https://twitter.com/Dreyfuzzy/status/1556581846061826050?t=Bi8yG9u68LD39RmGDpezaw&s=19
Another user with Twitter handle @BuffMaris tweeted, "If you can afford slippers, you can afford a sandal of the dame price. Though I think they should have announced it a semester prior to effect."
https://twitter.com/BuffMaris/status/1556547641642815488?t=e3CXlMqAbE8rEHtD6icOrQ&s=19
When SaharaReporters contacted the Public Relations Officer of the college, Joe Ejiofor, he confirmed the ban.
He, however, explained the context of the ban, saying the school wants to ensure that students look decent while attending classes.
He said, "The college has a dress code that dress code is clearly spelt out. I mean, if you are a student there is no reason for you to wear rubber slippers. As a student, if you are coming to class you should be able to put on minimum standard wears that will stand you out as a good and responsible student.
"When you say slippers, I don't know the kind of slippers but as a normal student, you should be able to wear sandals so that when you come to class you should look good. There are quality slippers that a student can wear and it will match his or her dress. A student can wear palm slippers (usually made from leather)."