THE BANTABA - BY MODOU CEESAY

 THE STUDENT BANTABA

EPISODE 1

 Fatou : The beginning of this semester has surely been my toughest time as a UTG student: I got cleared for registration late, some of my grades are still pending, and now I cannot even register for all my courses for the semester. It's like everything is going against my plans. What a terrible way to start the semester!

 Abdoulie : well, Fatou, I think this is also the case for most of us too. You just have a knack for complaining about everything! I'm looking at the portal right now and there's still not a single class for Introduction to General Science on the portal for Brikama Campus. So please spare us the grumbling. 

 Mariama : I was the least surprised by this situation. This is my third year in the UTG and I do not remember a single semester that begins smoothly for me as far as registration, venues, and clearance are concerned. I have learned to get used to it now. I'm sure by the time you become a third-year student like me, you'll also resign to the same fate.

 Fatou : God forbid! Do you mean to say that this problem will continue to exist forever? I am sure the Admin has learned its lessons now and will undoubtedly work towards preventing a repeat of this. Even our student leaders have given out similar assurances. 

 Abdoulie : This is what I keep on saying about your naivety, Fatou! Didn't these student leaders give the same promises in the previous elections? Have we seen any positive changes since then? The same issues continue to persist! 

 Omar : Guys, I honestly think that our student leaders are doing their best. There is only so much they can do. We've all seen how tirelessly they've been working to proffer solutions to this problem. I think the problem lies deeper than the student leaders' efforts can reach. I think UTG has a deeply rooted administration problem. And unless it is fixed, these problems will keep on reoccurring all the time. 

 Mariama: Thank you, Omar. You've definitely hit the nail on the head. Putting bandaids over the wounds cannot be a lasting solution to this problem. I have been saying this time and time again. A car whose engine is faulty will continue to malfunction even if you change all its body parts to new ones, and this institution has an engine problem. 

 Fatou : Well, whether it is the engine or the body parts that are faulty, I really do not care to know. I am concerned about the classes and lectures my father has struggled so hard to pay for so that I can gain knowledge and skills. I am really tired of the inefficiencies and frustrations of the UTG. How I'm I suppose to do well in my academic work if uncountable hitches are derailing me left right and center?

 Abdoulie : There you go again Fatou with your constant grumbling. I don't have any more time for it. I'm off to class! See ya guys!

 Mariama: Alright, Abdoulie. My class doesn't start until 2:30 pm. Let me take the time to conduct a portal tour. perhaps I may see an open spot in Mr. Ceesay's Popular Approaches class. 

 Fatou : That reminds me! I saw an empty spot in Madam Junisa's class too! (hurrying to get her phone for a portal your too)