Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana (UG), Professor Ivelaw Griffith, has announced a proposal to hike student tuition fees by 35 per cent over a three-year period. The proposal, which was made known at a town hall meeting with sections of the student body on Tuesday last, has been met with resistance and protests from students.
In 2016, some $2.9 billion were allocated to education sector improvement by
UG Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith
Central Government, which, according to the 2017 budget estimates, had encompassed UG. This followed other allocations towards the institution, such as $208.5 million which were meant for construction and maintenance works spanning 2015 and 2016.
According to several frustrated students, who took to social media in the aftermath of the meeting, the Vice Chancellor made a lengthy presentation at the meeting, after which a few questions were fielded – which, according to participants, were unsatisfactorily addressed.
On Thursday, the dissatisfaction of students manifested itself into protests, as students organised themselves outside of the Education Lecture Theatre. At the time, the UG Council had been meeting with the Vice Chancellor, who only took office in May of 2016.
Many of the students complained about issues such as poor and sometimes non-existent internet connectivity, as well as poorly ventilated classrooms and inadequate equipment to do their school work. It was observed that with such a large influx of money into the university from the budgets, better management of funds should negate the necessity for further increases in tuition fees. Expressing outrage at the proposed increase, the students are adamant that no one is doing students a favour by enhancing facilities on the Turkeyen campus, since the students are mandated to pay separate facilities fees. Each student presently pays $60,000 per annum in facilities fees. There are in excess of 5000 students at UG, spread out across the faculties of Agriculture and Forestry, Health Sciences,
Students at the University protested on Thursday
Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Technology, School of Education and Humanities, and the School of Earth and Environmental Science
Troubled waters
During the recently held Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Annual General Meeting (AGM), Professor Griffith had been one of the featured speakers. At that occasion, Griffith had spoken of plans to seek funding for the university outside of Government allocations, though no mention of a hike in tuition fees was made.
Describing the University as a “sea with troubled waters”, he noted that the problems with the institution will not be managed by “simply standing and lamenting and hoping to cross the sea.” He therefore expressed the need for funding for the university besides Government allocations.
“We all know (the) University of Guyana is a significant player in our society in the construction of social, economic and political architecture. But we are accustomed to a university with significant investment from the Government and very minimal from other stakeholders. Ladies and gentlemen, those days are over”, Professor Griffith had said.
“We cannot look to the Government to be the most significant contributor only and continuously. We have to broaden the base and bring under the tent every possible stakeholder. The business community, in my view, is a significant shareholder in the educational investment called the University of Guyana, even if only in the School of Entrepreneurship,” Griffith had said.
It is not the first time students have pushed back when confronted with increases in tuition at the tertiary institution. Last year, plans to hike tuition by five per cent were put on hold after students protested the hike. As with the Town Hall announcement, there was no warning or consultation process. Instead, the tuition-increase announcement was made to students via email just over a month into the semester. The email caused massive outbursts from students, particularly on social media. The email which came from the office of the Registrar read, “The University administration informs the University Community that the Finance and General Purposes Committee of the University had approved the increase in tuition fees for 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 academic years.”
It said the annual tuition fee for the 2016/2017 Academic year is now $168,000 instead of $160,000. The email went on to state that the University regretted any inconvenience caused, and advised that all invoices will be amended accordingly. It said the difference, without penalty, becomes payable on or before November 15, 2016, while the facilities fee remains unchanged.
