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Kissoon’s firing from UG is contrary to academic principles

Feb 01, 2012 Letters

 

 

Dear Editor,
Two months after the general elections which gave the PPP its first minority government in 19 years, some of its members have relegated the party to a new low by firing Freddie Kissoon from UG.
The dismissal of UG senior lecturer Freddie Kissoon is an abuse of power and a violation of his academic freedom, which Prem Misir is aware of. If nothing else, the firing of Kissoon is more than enough evidence that some members of the PPP minority government under Donald Ramotar are just as vindictive as the one led by Jagdeo.
The actions of the PPP members on the UG Council, which includes Prem Misir, Gail Teixeira, Gancham Singh (son of Dr. Nanda Gopaul) Bibi Shadick, Indira Chandarpal Pulandar Kandhai, and Nirmal Rekha are immature.
These council members have become the judge, jury and executor of UG policies, including hiring and firing. But the questions one must ask: Who gave the Council, especially these seven PPP members, the authority/right to determine qualifications and performance?
Are any of the PPP Council members qualified or impartial to determine whom to fire or hire? Do any of these people have the students interest at heart? I doubt it. What scholarly method or academic standard have they used to terminate Mr. Freddie Kissoon?
This very group has publicly sanctioned and supported the re-hiring of a professor who is known for using foul language in the classroom and who instead of teaching his course, indulged in sexual discourses with students. To all and sundry, the truth is that this particular professor does not belong in a classroom and these PPPites on the Council should not be allowed to determine the hiring and firing process of UG.
Clearly, they are biased, irrational, and unprofessional in the discharge of their duties. Their actions/behaviour should not be tolerated by the citizens, the opposition and aculty and students at UG.
Over the years, the University of Guyana has had more than its fair share of problems and the last thing it needs is political interference from the PPP Council members. It is the students who are suffering.
The University has a gutted infrastructure, poor housing facilities, poor light fixtures, shortage of qualified professors/lecturers and administrative staff, empty library shelves, dismal leadership, and all the departments are suffering from insufficient funds, yet Pro-Chancellor Misir sees it fit to quote foreign authors and educational institutions to justify the decrepit situation at UG. Misir has done absolutely nothing to raise the image of UG or improve its infrastructure.
It is time for President Ramotar to rise above petty politics, stop this foolishness and rein in his political hacks. The PPP minority government must have decorum to govern and gain the respect of the citizens.
It must stop its stranglehold on the University of Guyana and allow it to flourish as an academic institution. I do not think that the PPP members on the Council understand the important role of UG.
Are they qualified to make important academic decisions for the university? I doubt it. I have said it before and I will say it again that Prem Misir cannot honestly and effectively serve as the Pro-Chancellor of UG and as advisor to the president. One of the two will have to suffer and it is UG that is in anguish.
President Ramotar must be reminded that he has a minority government and must therefore act accordingly.
The dismissal of Freddie Kissoon is wrong and contrary to accepted academic principles and I strongly condemn it. It is political victimization. I call for his immediate reinstatement.
I call on President Ramotar to end this madness once and for all at UG and to inculcate a sense of civility and fairness if Guyana is to progress under his presidency. He must act swiftly to stave off any unrest that might be on the horizon.
Asquith Rose

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