Learning Under Strain: ICAN Lecture Theatre Draws Students Criticism
Araoluwa Adeleke
The ICAN Lecture Theatre of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) has continued to attract attention from students over its physical condition, with many describing the facility as unsuitable for effective teaching and learning. The lecture theatre remains in regular use for academic activities across different departments despite longstanding complaints about its state.
Observations at the venue show that several of its basic facilities, including chairs, tables, fans, and lighting, are either inadequate or poorly maintained. Students who attend lectures there say these conditions have existed for several academic sessions and have shown little visible change over time.
During lectures held at the theatre, many students are seen struggling with limited seating space and a shortage of functional tables. Worn-out chairs and the absence of adequate writing surfaces mean that students often have to place their books on their laps, a situation they say affects their ability to take notes and follow lectures effectively, particularly during long class periods.
A student who has attended lectures at the ICAN Lecture Theatre since her Part 1 said the condition of the venue has remained largely the same throughout her time in the university. “ICAN Lecture Theatre has not been in good shape since my Part One days. Despite this, some lecturers still schedule large classes there. In my opinion, the venue is not suitable for a large audience because it lacks good seating and is not conducive for learning,” she said.
She further noted that the continued use of the lecture theatre for large classes has become a common practice, even though students are aware of the limitations of the space.
Another student also shared her experience, pointing out that the size of the classes often exceeds what the venue can reasonably accommodate.
“There is a high tendency that a large percentage of students may not understand what the lecturer is teaching, especially when there are no tables to place books on and students are forced to keep them on their laps,” she said.
Interviews with students indicate that concerns about the ICAN Lecture Theatre are not isolated to a single department or level of study. Rather, they reflect repeated experiences of students who attend lectures there over different academic sessions.
The continued use of the ICAN Lecture Theatre in its current condition has become a recurring subject of discussion among students who rely on the facility for their academic activities.
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