Sections of the University of Guyana student body and most lecturers yesterday interrupted classes at the Turkeyen Campus to protest the dismissal of Freddie Kissoon as well as shoddy facilities at the institution.
While some students, and specifically those within the law department, turned up for their usual sessions, students and lecturers from other departments continued the protest and vowed to maintain the strike action until their demands are met.
During the protest, there was a confrontation between Kissoon and University Council member Indra Chandarpal, who he accused of telling untruths about the decision to terminate his contract. Chandarpal defended the council, while also stating that blame was unfairly being heaped on the government for the state of the university. “There is an administration here and their job is to look at those things that are difficult,” Chandarpal stated.
The protest was organised by the University of Guyana Students Society (UGSS), the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) and the University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU), which are part of a joint “Operation Rescue UG” initiative, through which they are lobbying to have lecturers whose contracts were terminated reinstated and for the current Registrar Vincent Alexander’s contract to be reviewed for renewal based on performance.
When Stabroek News visited the campus, President of the UGSSA Patsy Francis said that the protestors intend to step up their efforts and a sit-in by lecturers is planned today.
“We will continue the struggle and we will continue until Freddie and the other three lecturers have been restored to their positions. People got to understand that it is not only Freddie. There were four lecturers whose contracts are affected; four not only one.
Freddie is the one they don’t want hear at all… Dr. Williams and two others, their contracts were also terminated,” Francis stated.
In addition, she noted that the students and staff alike are affected by the deplorable conditions in the classrooms, especially given the current rainy weather.
“Right now, in the George Walcott Lecture Theatre, the place is flooding, water is in the building, [and] the roof is leaking. In agriculture and in the science laboratories, all we are doing is teaching people virtually. No labs, no chemicals, no equipment,” she said, adding that the university lacks basic tools that are necessary in some courses.
She further stated that the Learning Research Centre is also affected by the flooding and to address all the general needs of this specific area, the university will need approximately $3 million. “We can’t get that money, so, really and truly, our issues are so large and the government is refusing to sign the US$10 million (World Bank) loan to the university, so what they are saying is like they want us to provide substandard education and we as lecturers are saying, no, enough is enough and we will struggle until our demands are met,” Francis emphasised.
When asked if the government offered a response to letters that were recently sent by the grouping, she indicated they had not and said that plans are in place for a second approach. “We will contact them today to find out what their positions are, particularly Professor Compton Bourne, who is the Chancellor, what he would be advising the council. We don’t know what they will do,” she said.
“I have been here for 26 years. They have brought this place to this sad [path]. If they want to shut it down just go ahead and shut it down and let us come up with a new plan. Do not run it and give poor Guyanese children, poor people children, a poor quality education. It is terrible,” Francis added.
She further urged students to boycott classes and join the protest. “Do not go to any class. Stand up for your rights. If you don’t stand up now, you will not be able to stand up at anytime. Your classrooms are leaking… the whole university is in a very bad, dilapidated and terrible state and I don’t know that the government can stand by and allow this, the only place that we have, the premium place of higher learning, does not have enough facilities,” she said.
‘Priorities’
The protest interrupted a University Council meeting, during which Francis approached Chandarpal and questioned her awareness about the conditions at the university.
“Ya gotta stand up. I personally expect that you would stand up for our rights. I expected… that you would be the one among all who would say look, these people are working under terrible conditions, they have given their all,” Francis told Chandarpal during the brief exchange.
In response, Chandarpal said that she has always lobbied for better conditions while pointing out that she is not paid for her role on the council. “Those of us who sit on the council, we don’t get a salary; we don’t get nothing to be here. I come here… I spend many days doing voluntary work so it is not a paying job,” she stated, adding that for the past ten years she has served and has stayed committed.
When asked about Kissoon’s dismissal, Chandarpal said she was made to understand that his contract had come to an end and that he was 60 years of age. Kissoon at this time dashed into the room and screamed, “That is not true!” He accused the council member of lying and urged his followers not to allow her to get away with it.
“I refuse to speak if you are gonna come into a meeting and will be allowed to abuse me. This has always been your attitude. You always spoil your case by starting to verbally abuse people, that’s his attitude. You must learn to curb your tongue,” Chandarpal said. Kissoon shot back: “You must learn to curb you dishonesty.”
Observers have pointed out that Kissoon was given a one-year contract and terminating it before it ended on the grounds that he was over 60 did not make sense. The retirement explanation is also in conflict with a statement from Kissoon’s faculty head that the lecturer’s performance was the reason why the contract was terminated.
Later, in an invited comment to the media, Chandarpal said that the University of Guyana has an administration which is supposed to be responsible for the upkeep and other affairs.
“If a roof is leaking, how must government be responsible for that? We provide capital subvention and we provide money for the student loan on an annual basis. If it is you receive $200 million a year for capital through the Ministry of Education, there gotta be priorities. So if your roof is leaking, you fix your roof. You don’t allow the rain to come and fall and wet somebody and then claim that the government is not taking care of you. There has to be some rationale in how you manage so we can’t be accused for the roof leaking,” she said.
Meanwhile, Kissoon told Stabroek News that life for him goes on. “I have to finish my human rights agenda until the day I die. The government need to be gotten rid of…”
He further stated that his gaining so much support is a clear indication that Guyanese people have the courage to stand up and fight for people’s rights. “They just need the leadership to guide them. Once that is available, they will go,” he added.
He further extended gratitude to those who have shown him support. “There aren’t words to express how much I appreciate what they have done. One of the most rewarding manifestations of my political career that I have is of the support I have received,” Kissoon stated.
