The University of Guyana (UG) Council has fired lecturer and political activist Freddie Kissoon, who is weighing legal options since he believes that there was political interference and that he is being targeted.
Kissoon, who had been attached to the Faculty of Social Sciences for the past 26 years, received a confirmation letter around 5:30 pm yesterday, indicating that his contract was last Wednesday terminated during a council meeting.
The letter, which was signed by the Registrar (ag) Dr Theodosius Velloza and dated January 23, 2012, stated: “In keeping with the decision of the Council of the University of Guyana at its meeting held on Wednesday January 18, and in accordance with the terms of your present contract your appointment is thereby terminated with immediate effect. You will be paid subject to satisfactory completion of the last pay certificate.”
When contacted, UG Pro-Chancellor Dr Prem Misir told Stabroek News that he did not have all the details and referred this newspaper to Dr Velloza. Despite several attempts, Dr Velloza could not be reached, while subsequent calls to Misir went unanswered. This newspaper was also unable to contact the Dean of the Social Sciences Faculty O’Neil Greaves, who was first to inform Kissoon of the development.
“I am not surprised,” an upset Kissoon said earlier yesterday, saying that there was a clear abuse of power. “I have said for years that this is the nature of the PPP.” He emphasised that in his years of teaching, there was never a complaint against him and that he had always met the criteria of teaching and research, which was required for his contract to be renewed.
He explained that based on the information he had gathered, the council members met and discussed the issue last Wednesday unknown to him. He noted that although he is a member of the council, he was unaware of the meeting. He recalled that he checked his email last Tuesday afternoon and there was no correspondence about a council meeting.
According to Kissoon, five government-affiliated persons spoke against him while four university staffers spoke in his favour. It was after that that the Pro-Chancellor ruled that the contract be terminated, he said. An order was also made that the university was not to employ Kissoon in any capacity, this newspaper was told.
Students
In light of the termination, Kissoon will be paid until August 31, when his contract ends. “I feel guilty because I am being paid and not teaching. Why not let the contract end in May when classes end,” he questioned.
He also questioned the fate of his students who will be without a lecturer and would face a definite delay in the start of their respective courses.
“Where are they going to get someone with my competence and qualifications?” he asked, while noting that he was employed on a yearly contract, based on his teaching and research profile.
“The nation needs to look at what the opposition majority will do in light of this,” he added, while stressing that he is of the firm belief that the president knew before hand that his contract would be terminated.
Meanwhile, UG Student Society head Duane Edwards expressed disgust at the development, while pointing out that the body will certainly be taking action in the best interest of students. A meeting will be held with the university’s union by tomorrow to decide on action.
Edwards, a third-year Sociology major, noted that there is a shortage of lecturers on campus and because of this “the system is strained. It is becoming dysfunctional.” He said that students are being badly affected by this situation, which often results in some courses starting very late.
Giving a personal example, Edwards said that one of his courses which was to start last August started about two weeks ago. “When you are supposed to be on holiday relaxing you have to come to class,” he said, pointing out that many students find themselves in this situation every semester.
As a result of this shortage, he noted, “the current ones (lecturers) are stretched thin” as they are expected to take on more courses.
Kissoon, who is also a columnist for the Kaieteur News newspaper, has been a fervent critic of abuses by the PPP/C administrations and former President Bharrat Jagdeo. Recently, he has been supporting the protests against the continued incarceration of three persons who have been charged with treason.
