THE aftermath of Freddie  Kissoon’s  dismissal as political science lecturer  from the University of Guyana’s academic staff,  has so far proceeded as expected, beginning with his glorification by the political opposition, and protest action by his fellow academics. The question is – how justified are they? At any tertiary level institution, the undertaking  of  serious  academic research and consequent production of academic pieces from such efforts are a prerequisite  for every serious lecturer, particularly those that wish to be recognised and acclaimed as scholars.

During the years of Freddie’s tenure, his non- production of academic work has been challenged, by primarily members of the public, and, if one can clearly recall, his responses were more or less of the evasive kind, with  glib references that he has been doing academic research, whatever  such may have meant.

There are two aspects of this matter that need to be highlighted. First, Kissoon’s termination was a consensual decision; while the second centres around the  Institution’s Vice Chancellor’s decision to award  the former  lecturer, a renewed contract, past the statutory retirement age.

This action, on the part of Mr. Carrington was not in keeping with the University Council’s regulation, and is therefore a nullity.

One may perhaps sympathise with  Kissoon’s debacle, which comprehensively is of his own making.

Rather than devoting so many of those twenty six years, inciting race hatred, anti-government sentiments, and uttering seditious and libelous statements, he could have certainly fulfilled this necessary scholastic requirement.