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UG’s policy-makers should reconsider this late penalty on students

Mar 09, 2013 Letters

 

 

Dear Editor,
I find it wacky that the first thing that the newly appointed University of Guyana (UG) Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi will give to students is a two-week deadline to pay their 2nd semester tuition fee or pay a late fee of $10,000. It must be noted that some of us still await last semester’s grades because of UG’s inefficiency.
I find it hard that we are not hearing the discussion of quality of education with suitable and relevant applications and research from the University, and not forgetting access to and participation in the process to that quality education.
Notwithstanding my long moderate view on this matter of the financial issues at UG, public debate should first centre on the restructuring of institution. Before handing over the reins of the education system to persons who care less and before accepting the arguments that higher tuition fees are inevitable and that free education is an outdated utopian ideal, it makes sense to take a timeout to reflect and really question what is happening to students and education in Guyana.
I find it funny that this national institution that should serve the nation is using tuition fee hikes and other financial burdens as a general trend toward privatising an educational institution and putting the poor at a disadvantage.
Rather than shaping minds and imparting intellectual, cultural, or scientific heritage, Professor Jacob Opadeyi wants UG to be punishing students who cannot pay.
Rather than cherry-picking on persons who cannot afford to pay their fees, the Vice Chancellor should setup a committee to investigate why persons are not paying and create a flexible arrangement to ease the burden off of students. It is no secret that most students take loans, but the reality is it is the ordinary students who are regular public servants and cannot get a loan for various reasons, that is being affected by this action.
The truth is, governance and financing of the university is of vital importance, but this should not be at the expense of students. UG’s council must find ways to gather the much needed funds; such as Central Government clearing off the indebtedness of the university and the contribution of institutions of research and development to UG in general.
Those who have responsibility to govern, manage and regulate the finances, accounts, investments, property, business and all affairs whatsoever of the University, and for that purpose, to appoint bankers and any other officers or agents whom it may deem expedient to appoint; and to invest any monies belonging to the University including any unapplied income, in such stocks, funds, fully paid shares or securities as the Council may from time to time think fit, whether authorized by the general law for the investment of trust monies or not, or in the purchase of property whether movable or immovable, with the like power of varying such investments from time to time by sale or re-investment or otherwise, should start doing something other than firing Lecturer.
I am asking that those with responsibility for policy development and administration to reconsider this late penalty on students who are already struggling to pay their tuition fees.
Adel Lilly

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