The administration of Kisii University has warned female students and male lecturers of dire consequences if found engaging in sex in exchange for marks.
Kisii University Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Academic and Student Affairs, Prof Maurice Amutabi warned that the university administration will not condone any student or lecturer found going against the institution's Gender-Based Violence (GBV) policy. Instead, all those involved will face disciplinary action according to the provisions in the policy.
Speaking at the university on Wednesday, while opening this year's International Peace Day organised by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Peace Initiative Kenya (PIK) in partnership with the university, Prof Amutabi stated that GBV has emerged as a serious issue on the international human rights agenda, posing serious challenges to the education sector across the world.
He said that the university has developed a Gender Policy to ensure the institution is free from GBV cases, especially cases where lecturers demand sex from their female learners in exchange for marks.
"The university affirms that GBV is unacceptable and cannot be condoned in our institution," said Amutabi.
The Director, Institute of Gender and Development Studies at the University, Dr Caren Nyamwange challenged female students from the University to concentrate on their course work and research projects, instead of relying on making sexual overtures to their lecturers in exchange for marks.
“The University respects complainant's wishes in determining the procedure to be followed in finding a solution to GBV incidents,” clarified Nyamwange.
IRC/PIK Gender Officer, Ruth Oywaya said some female students abscond their classes and hide behind their beauty to make sexual advances on their male lecturers, who in turn sleep with them in exchange for marks or quality grades.