The University of Guyana Students’ Society (UGSS) has petitioned for an increase in their semester break, amid the current political tension embroiling the country.
The student body noted in a statement that security has been a factor of paramount concern, as many have chosen to relocate to another location. As such, an extended break would afford persons enough time to establish proper mechanisms. They are calling for an additional week, until next Monday.
The University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus
“We know these past few days have been uncomfortable for you all. Same goes for us. Some of us have been made to switch our locations due to security concerns for ourselves and our family… Secondly, let this not be known as an extension to a semester break, but rather, the University closing down for a week so as to have proper and better systems in place where the security concerns of us all, can be guaranteed,” UGSS stated.
In sharing their motive for this request, the student organ said that campus should be closed until next week, owing to transportation constraints. While that may be the issue for many, those travelling from Berbice have shown fear amid protest actions across the region.
“Let us vehemently state, we strongly disagree with any suggestion that school be reopened as per normal for the coming week. There has been, to us, little to no real assessment of the transportation burden that our current political climate has imposed on our students…A vast majority of our students (over 1000) comes from linden alone! Those who are coming from the Region Three area will now find it difficult to travel also as most buses have stopped working,” the statement indicated.
Concerned about security on the streets, UGSS indicated that the campuses at Turkeyen and Tain are vulnerable to attacks. In recent time, violent protests have erupted throughout the streets in close proximity to the Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara base, and the situation escalated a few days ago in Berbice.
Our campuses alone, based on security provided, can be deemed vulnerable to many attacks. Who can guarantee our safety in this regard? Peaceful protests have now turned violent, leaving one dead and a few injured so far. Should persons in the Cummings Lodge and Industry decide to join the wave of protesters, our Campus at Turkeyen becomes a haven. Berbice campuses have already become virtually impossible to think to go,” the student body posited.
Adding to that, students have indicated that there has been some psychological impact from the events which unfolded post-elections.
“We all have been burden by this electoral process. We have had to endure long hours of attention span to the different forms of media for updates. Notwithstanding that, our every move is burdened by the thought of what can happen should we do this. Studying has seemingly become even harder. Let us not forget, some of our students are even working on class assignments given to them by varying lectures,” the UGSS statement read.
