UG students weigh in on impending hike in tuition fees
AFTER much controversy surrounding the issue of increased tuition at Guyana’s premier tertiary institution, the University of Guyana, Vice-Chancellor Jacob Opadeyi has revealed that despite some dissatisfaction, there will be a hike in the tuition fees.
Prior to his remarks indicating that the increase was definite, a series of consultations were held to provide feedback from the students and other stakeholders on the increase. While some were permitted to voice their concerns over the issue, time constraints prevented others from doing so. As such, the Man-in-the-street approach will provide an insight into some of the concerns and views of current students.
GLENFIELD DENNISON (Third-Year Law Student): “UG is broke; we as students know that because we live the effects of an underfunded university. However, the decision to saddle UG students with the burden of increased income is an unfortunate financial one which ignores the socio-economic circumstances of the majority of students. What is particularly unreasonable is the short notice that is being given to students and the meaningless ‘consultation’ that was held in a time when the school was closed for regular sessions, leaving only a handful of students on campus at the time of the consultation. Before the VC embarks on a tuition-raising venture he should consider that by his own admission, there has been bad management of UG resources in the past.”
LETICIA GREAVES (Second-Year International Relations Student): “An increase in tuition is one thing, but it is also important to let the students know the reason for the increases. The
University should show clearly why the increase is being made, and to what extent are UG students going to benefit. If they did this, then I suppose students might not be against it. I believe that the interest of the students’ needs to be one of more importance when the university decided to have consultations on tuition increases. The majority of students use the loans process, some of these students don’t have jobs. If they raise the tuition when there is unemployment, and when the UG loan fund provided by the government has been cut then what situation does that put the students in. I have a one-year-old daughter and I am finding it more and more difficult to pay my tuition in cash and to take care of my daughter, if it is that I want to switch from cash to loan then is that even possible?”
SAIEED KHALIL (Final Year Economics Student): “Tuition increases are long overdue. The tuition was initially pegged to the exchange rate, which has since deteriorated, and the cost of providing a tertiary education has since increased and, as such, tuition fees need an upward adjustment to reflect that at least on part. My only caveats to this would be that: a) The loans mechanism be strengthened for those who might not be able to finance the new tuition rates out-of-pocket, and b) the university administration continue to court the private sector and other stakeholders into contributing more to the University’s development, so that the burden of these increases does not fall squarely on the students’ shoulders, since education, after all, generates benefits not only for the students but society as well, and at least part of the tab should be picked up by these third party beneficiaries.”
TIFFANY MOONSAMMY (Second-Year Marketing Student): “As a current student of the university I think that the raise in tuition is ridiculous. It is unreasonable for current and potential
students of the University of Guyana. Students already find it difficult to accumulate the $127,000 which results in the majority of the students taking loan. I think the university will see a tremendous decrease in attendance because most of the students are unemployed and that 80,000 difference in the tuition is too much.”
MURTLAND HALEY (First-Year Law Student): “Well, considering the desire by the University of Guyana to want to raise the fees, I agree with the move. For many reasons, for example staff members sometimes have to worry if and when they’ll be paid and our lecturers aren’t really being paid according to international standards. However, my support for the increase is based on two grounds. One, that it is done gradually, meaning a certain percentage is agreed on by students and the governing body. And that percentage is applied yearly to achieve a gradual increase. This is so for the simple reason that it would be grossly unfair to current students to have to adjust to a sudden hike in the price for their particular programmes and the gradual increase will see a smoother transition for everyone. Secondly, I expect that with this gradual increase in the cost of education that the quality and standard of service will also improve. This includes better and more qualified lecturers, a better equipped library, a cleaner and well maintained physical environment, improved infrastructure, complete with bigger classrooms to accommodate the growing number of students attending the institution and faster services being provided by the admissions, bursary and student loans departments.”
ELSIE HARRY-ROSS (First-Year International Relations Student): “I am fully aware that UG is strapped for cash. I don’t object to an increase in tuition; universities do it all the time. I am
concerned about the amount; how quickly the increase will take effect; and the lack of transparency. Management needs to be honest and accountable. Tell us exactly what to expect in September, and keep updating us. Running a university is running a business. As consumers we expect to get value for our dollar, whether it’s 2 dollars or 100 dollars. So if the fees increase we expect to see tangible returns, not reports from work ‘behind the scenes’. One of the biggest selling points for this increase has apparently been the fact that fees have been so low for so long that we and others are indebted to the university. Somehow I just don’t know how this is an issue for us. We paid what was asked of us. Now that the situation has escalated beyond the point of no return it is unreasonable for the management to drop the burden of years of mismanagement on current students in a quick, damaging motion. Additionally the arrogance of the Vice- Chancellor and some of his staff is sickening. Their posture when addressing students, facial expressions and tone of voice are unprofessional and are characteristic of the problems UG faces. Finally, what about the Government and private sector in all of this? The state of the country’s only name sake university is all of our business and Government and private sector alike need to play their part to improve it. Increased tuition alone will not suffice.”
(By Ravin Singh)
