UG Council explains need for hike in tuition fees

Apr 09, 2017 News

– Justifies 15 percent salary increase

Although the tuition fees of students at the University of Guyana (UG) have been hiked by 35 percent, this increase is still considerably lower than what obtains at a number of other education institutions. This observation has been made by the University’s Council.
Moreover, in a statement issued by the University, yesterday, efforts were made to justify the hike in the tuition fees.
In addition to examining the fees that other institutions charge, the UG Council at its extraordinary meeting of March 30, 2017 also paid keen attention to the university’s projected budget deficit and projected alternative income streams in addition to other pressing needs.
It was based on these considerations that the Council went ahead and voted for the tuition fees to be increased.
In its statement, too, the University said that the decision to increase the tuition fees was preceded by an intense discussion during the extraordinary meeting which was chaired by Chancellor Eon Nigel Harris.
In making the decision, it was revealed that the Council examined the various aspects of the University’s finances. Added to this, the Council gave attention to comparative data on private high schools and Universities in Guyana and the Caribbean region. The tuition and fees at all the institutions examined were found to be several times higher than those of UG.
Even with the unavoidable adjustments, it was made clear that the fees at UG will still be comparatively lower. It was moreover, noted that the Council’s decision will be applied to tuition fees for all programmes and for both continuing students and new students for the 2017-2018 academic year.
However, the administration has assured that input from the University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS) was considered, leading to an incremental roll out, where continuing students will now pay an increase of 15 percent (about $2500 a month), while new students will be required to pay 18 percent (about $3000 a month) more.
The Council also decided to incrementally increase the tuition fee by 10 percent for the 2018-2019 academic year for all students, and a further 10 percent for all students for 2019-2020.
At the same meeting, the Council also authorised the UG Administration to commence negotiations with the two University Unions for remuneration packages based on what the University could afford.
Meanwhile, the University in its statement revealed that the Council has received clarification from the Ministry of Finance that the claim by the unions that the Government of Guyana had provided a fixed sum of money for salaries, which would amount to a 15 percent salary increase, was inaccurate.
In this context, it was noted, the UG Administration will continue to analyse the University budget to determine the fullest possible extent of affordability. It was also stressed that staff performance will be a key factor in determining salaries and benefits, whether monetary or non-monetary.

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