– Deputy Mayor joins protest
By Devina Samaroo
Resounding were their voices though the turnout was small as University of Guyana (UG) students vented extreme disgust over the mounting issues that continue to cause many inconveniences and obstruct their pursuit of higher education.
Fired up by University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS) president Joshua Griffith, the handful of disgruntled students threatened more days of disruption, as they demanded a raise in the standard of services provided, as opposed to a raise in tuition fees which the administration continues to impose.
“The issues here are real and we know because we faced them… Mr President, do you know that because of the services provided by the same loan agencies, and the laxity thereof and the substandard delivery, that students are unable to write exams because they don’t get their loan awards on time!” Griffith, with loudspeaker in hand and the colours of the Guyana flag draped around his neck, charged to the students.
“How many more students would it take to be allegedly raped, and actually raped but not publicised, before you intervene; how many cars must be broken into; how many fires must we have, before you intervene decisively,” the young leader declared as he explained the relentless efforts made by the UGSS to reach out to government.
“Like Peter, three times we tried and three times we were denied to meet with the President. How long more must we wait for an audience?” Griffith demanded as he threatened to move the protest to outside of the Ministry of the Presidency and Education Ministry on Wednesday morning, providing they do not receive a satisfactory response from the relevant authorities before.
“How can you, our government, not include us in your 100 days plan? And a few weeks from now would make your one year in Office and you still have not met with the students of your national tertiary education institution; stop playing politics with our students, stop playing politics with our education,” Griffith exploded as he explained that all the students want is for government to ensure the delivery of better services that meet the desired standard they spoke so vociferously about during the campaign trail.
Deputy Mayor
Deputy Mayor of Georgetown Sherod Duncan, currently pursuing his masters in communication at UG, joined in solidarity with his fellow students, calling on the administration to proactively intervene and address the numerous concerns.
“I am a student as well, and this is a struggle that we’ve been under for a very long time, so I had to come and show my support with these students,” he explained.
Duncan posited that the affairs of UG are also a concern for City Hall.
Also, given his strong alliance with the APNU/AFC coalition, Duncan is certain he will be able to influence central government to reach out to the disheartened students.
Labs
Students under the Faculty of Natural Sciences are beyond perturbed over the fact there are no labs for first- and second-year students who are in their final academic year.
Faculty representative Xiomara Griffith explained that the administration proposed that all outstanding labs be done during the summer.
“For over 200 students! We strongly believe that this is unfair and students weren’t consulted so they could not prepare their minds for it. And UG fails to realise that we are in a global space and there are international students who live here who do these very course and they would want to go home to their families on their holiday,” she posited.
Grades
The untimely release of students’ grades also continues to be a worrying concern.
According to one student, students usually have to wait about three months before their grades are released. Students are also concerned about the customary increase in the various fees required by the administration. They disclosed that there are rumours that there will be the announcement of another increase.
“They are raising our fees so by now we expect some sort of change because our fees are bumped up so high. My mother is a single parent, you understand, she has to find money to pay for me to come to this University and they are treating us this way… we need a change, it is about time,” explained Chelsea Lewis. Law school Likewise, law students are up in arms over the way injustice continues to be meted out against them, especially regarding the extra mile they are required to take in order to pursue an education in the field. Demands for a local law school were fresh as concerns were over the limit on the number of students who are entitled to move on to attain their law degree.
“We need a law school here; the Attorney General Basil Williams is telling us that that is not a priority. How distasteful is that. It is not right, it is hypocritical because, you are saying one thing before you got into power and now because you now have the power and the authority to make a difference, now you’re saying something else; and then next elections you are going to come and give us some pity story because you want our votes, it is not right,” expressed Yonica Rolland, a second-year law student.
She added: “This is the only university here and it is a shame that we have to go to Trinidad and Tobago to finish off our degree and pay a lot of money. And this is only restricted to the top 25 student. Our class has 80 strong, what will happen to the remainder, everybody can’t make the top 25. There is no system in place for others who will not make the top 25. You’re telling me because I am not in the top 25, I cannot fulfil my dream of becoming a lawyer or an attorney?”
