University of Guyana (UG) lecturers are today scheduled to begin a one-week sit-in, in conjunction with steady protests over the administration of the institution.
The decision was taken yesterday by the ‘Operation Rescue UG’ group, which has been protesting against the dismissal of lecturers, including Freddie Kissoon, and the conditions at the Turkeyen campus.
“We are losing people by not marching… we have to march to keep up the momentum,” President of the UGSSA Dr. Patsy Francis said during a briefing with several faculty and administration staff members yesterday at the Turkeyen campus.
The UGSSA along with the University of Guyana Students Society (UGSS), and the University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU) are spearheading ‘Operation Rescue UG’ and its leaders have since had several meetings to discuss their concerns, including with opposition leader David Granger as well as AFC chairman Khemraj Ramjattan.
Francis noted that engagement thus far with the administration of the university has not been very productive and emphasized that the protesting groups are not satisfied. There has been some progress in addressing the US$10 million World Bank loan to reform the science and technology programmes at the university, she said, but added that it was not enough.
“There has been a little movement on the World Bank loan but we are not satisfied with that and we told the administration that and so that is why we are here asking if you agree to the sit-in,” Francis indicated to the gathering.
In response, many shouts were heard in agreement and as a result, the decision was made to maintain a week long sit-in action.
Earlier, Francis stated that during a recent discourse with acting Vice-Chancellor Marlene Cox, a more serious commitment to address issues with a timeline was given by the administration.
However, these remarks were greeted with questions yesterday by frustrated lecturers, who asked to be informed of what has been done and what they are intending to do.
Francis stated that some work is scheduled to begin on the stables while the roof of George Walcott Lecture Theatre is currently under construction. “Also, the bridge at the back of the campus, the really rickety one, is supposed to be dealt with today,” she added.
She further stated that buildings used by the Faculty of Agriculture are also slated for repairs and she was confident that it would be done, while she pointed out that it was asked that these items be placed on a schedule with a timeline.
When questions arose about funding for the projects, Francis stated that this was not of their concern. “Let us not study where the money is coming from but let us deal with what we want. Let them think of that… we don’t care where they find it from, let them just find it,” she affirmed.
Students’ support
Meanwhile, Vice President of the UGSSA Melissa Ifill noted that the support of students is very important and while they are concerned about their well-being, they must take a “principled stance.”
“We want the students on board… we don’t want to alienate them… we want them to know that we are aware that our actions are affecting them… please make sure your students have course outlines and all necessary information so they can at least work on their own,” Ifill told lecturers.
Previously, Pro-Chancellor of the University of Guyana Prem Misir advised members of ‘Operation Rescue UG’ that Kissoon’s contract was terminated strictly on academic consideration.
“He said it was not based on anything political but they should have given notice of the action contemplated and the reason and he (Kissoon) should have been giving the opportunity to speak and be represented in a hearing…We argued that he should have been allowed to respond to the charges and the university statute has provisions for specifically that,” Ifill told Stabroek News yesterday.
According to Ifill, the University of Guyana Act specifically states that if it appears to the council that there is reasonable cause for dismissal, these requirements must be met.
With regards to the World Bank Loan of US$10 million, Ifill said they have insisted that it must be signed. She stated that it has been “articulated that some things must be done before the document is signed.” However, she stated, the requirements which should be met are the forming of a steering committee to manage the funds and the need for terms of reference to be created for project execution.
She emphasized that these things must be done before the money is disbursed but the document can be signed beforehand.
“It seems as though officials within governance circles are insisting that these things are done before the agreement is signed. However, that is not necessary,” she said.
Ifill explained that there is a 90-day period before the first disbursement and it is within this time that the requirements should be met. She added that she is of the opinion that the Ministry of Education and the Vice-Chancellor are fully prepared to undertake the project once the project document is signed.
Petition
Meanwhile, an international petition for solidarity and action on Kissoon’s dismissal is being circulated online.
The petition is seeking to have international organisations monitor the “adverse developments” in Guyana and to call upon the outgoing University Vice-Chancellor Lawrence Carrington, all members of the university council and the government to give a full account for the “discriminatory action against Mr. Kissoon.”
The petition says that Kissoon’s dismissal is an act of intimidation, given that he has been the most consistent critic of the excesses of the PPP/C, which has consistently sought to silence its critics.
“We have stood before and will stand again against tyranny while any of us is being wrongly punished. Our voices will never be cowed into submission,” the petition says, while urging “all Guyanese to take a similar stand against the victimisation and abuse of any citizen.”
Among the signatories are Steadman Aaron, Luke Daniels, Deon Abrams, Seelochan Beharry, Anand Daljeet, Keith Branch, Albert Fortune, Errol Harry, David Hinds, Mike Jinnah, Mark Matthews, Nigel Westmaas, Sase Omo, Ingrid King, Ngosi Moses, Dennis Canterbury, Dennis Wiggins, Weuai Tafawa, Rudolph James and Adeola James.
