The PPP/C attack on University of Guyana lecturers must be confronted

Oct 24, 2011 Letters

Dear Editor,
The government of Guyana has indeed gone mad, literally mad! This madness I believe is occasioned by their obvious obsession and blatant usurpation of total power, political and otherwise.
When a government can boldly unleash vindictive acts against those who are responsible for nurturing the nation’s only tertiary education system, I think that government has gone insane, staring mad! According to Dr. Henry Jeffery, University of Guyana lecturer, political directive has been given to the Chancellor of the University to terminate the contracts of a number of lecturers. Most of these lecturers, we are told, are people who are critical of the government and this is possibly the reason for the termination order.
I call on all Guyanese to denounce this blatant act of suppression. Let us rally behind those lecturers and ensure that the PPP/C regime does not succeed in this wicked plot, for if they do this will be a major blow to the entire nation. If the intellectual is restrained from offering a dissenting view, how can the ordinary man ever dream to speak out! What kind of democracy, and I use that term loosely, are we attempting to fashion.
It was William Edward Burghardt DuBois (WEB Du Bois) who posits that “ A society that does not accept different opinions and philosophies, one which stifles dissent could not consider itself free.” This government is on a campaign to make Guyana, just that, a society where dissent is not tolerated and, therefore, one where people remain in bondage.
I have spent seven years at the University of Guyana, reading for Degrees in two disciplines. I was fortunate to have been taught by some of the best and brightest Guyanese. As a student, I have been encouraged to express my thoughts freely, despite often sharing a different view than some of my lecturers.
I cannot recall being penalized, at any time, for my critical comment. In fact those interactions were often seen as a way of encouraging and developing independent thinking and free thought. This is a fundamental value of our Constitution, that value which is specifically akin to the fundamental right to free speech. But, today, we have these modern day dictators openly trampling on that right.
Where is the student body, being student government does not only mean winning elections, it is time for the right kind of activism. The government have taken the seemingly passive student population for granted, it is time we fight for what is right. Many of us will be the lecturers of tomorrow, let us not wait until our turn come, time to confront the evil of the day so that our future will be protected.
Student bodies all over the world have been the agents of change in various societies, let this government not take us for granted. This assault on university lecturers cuts across political affiliation, race, class or creed. University students must know that we are expected, to be more ’active’ custodians of our constitution. It is time for collective action, I call on all political parties to take a stance on this issue and support those who are responsible for developing our human capital. We cannot sit idly by and allow this onslaught on education, and freedom to continue to take place, as we all will go down together.
The PPP/C had declared themselves the ‘LORDS’ over Guyana and so they think that they can do as they will, it is time to confront these oppressors. I endorse the sentiments expressed by Dr. Henry Jeffery, who told those gathered that at the Stabroek Market rally; “If these people succeed with their madness then what would they do if they win the elections… I contend that if you contextualize this madness, it means that the PPP is going to violently deal with their detractors and critics should it win the forthcoming poll… Guyana is indeed facing its worst moments in recent times”.
We are reminded by the distinguished Judge Mc Guide who opined that; ”free though and tolerance were essential to any society which believed itself to be open and democratic…” I ask again what kind of society do we believe Guyana to be?
For Guyanese to allow the PPP/C to succeed in this upcoming election is to give up our fundamental rights as a people. I call on the members of the International Community to speak out on the atrocities that are happening daily in Guyana, those who embrace dictatorial principles and strip the people of their fundamental rights are just as dangerous as the Saddam Hussein and Moammar Gadhafi of the Arab Region.
God Bless!
Lurlene Nestor

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The PPP/C attack on University of Guyana lecturers must be confronted

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