The University of Guyana (UG) on Friday announced that it has increased tuition fees for the academic year 2016/2017 by some five per cent, a move that it said will also continue the following academic year.
UG Registrar Dr Nigel Gravesande
The announcement, which was made to students via emails, has created some frenzy, particularly on social media.
The email coming out of the office of the Registrar reads, “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. The Facilities Fee remains unchanged.
Contacted for a comment on the issue, Registrar, Dr Nigel Gravesande told Guyana Times that the decision for the annual five per cent increase was made back in 2014 by the Council and that students were fully aware of this. However, while the decision was made in 2014, it was never applied to the 2015/2016 academic year.
“So last year students did not pay. Students will (now) pay five per cent 2016/2017 and another five per cent 2017/2018. The 2015/2016 was not applied. It is now being applied here,” the Registrar told Guyana Times.
Students took to facebook and other social media protesting, saying “enough is enough.” They say the University continues to hike fees while the institution and its infrastructure continues to deteriorate.
The University has increased tuition fees even after it also announced that students slated to attend graduation will be required to pay some $10,000, while those who will not be attending will pay $5000.
