The dismissal of 38 Level 100 students from the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) due to poor academic performance has sparked serious concerns about student lifestyles in Winneba. According to William Boadi, Executive Director of Educate Africa Institute (EAI), the growing trend of cohabitation among students is significantly contributing to their academic struggles.

Boadi argues that many students, instead of residing in hostels as intended, choose to live with their partners, leading to distractions, financial strain, and emotional distress—all of which negatively impact their studies.

EAI’s Findings and Concerns
EAI’s research, based on student interrogations, revealed that some students receive money from their parents for hostel accommodation but divert the funds to support cohabitation with their boyfriends or girlfriends. This growing trend, he says, calls for immediate intervention from parents, school authorities, and society to restore academic discipline.

Beyond academics, student safety is also at risk. Boadi referenced the recent tragic incident at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), where a final-year female student was allegedly murdered by her boyfriend, also a student. He warned that similar incidents could occur if proper parental supervision and institutional oversight are not enforced.

Call to Action
As a social worker and educationist, Boadi emphasized that unmarried university students should not be living together, just as most professional environments prohibit spouses from working together due to potential conflicts and distractions.

EAI is calling for:

Stronger counseling services in universities to address student cohabitation.

Enforcement of policies that promote academic discipline.

Increased parental involvement, ensuring students prioritize their education over unhealthy relationships.

Active engagement from religious and community leaders to guide students toward responsible living.

"The future of our youth depends on the collective efforts of all stakeholders to provide the necessary supervision and support," Boadi stressed.