AGAINST the backdrop of industrial action to be taken by the University of Guyana (UG) staff, for impositions made by the current Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Jacob Opadeyi, students of the institution have voiced their concern on the issue, which directly affects the quality of education delivery. This publication caught up with a few of those students, including the current UG Student Society (UGSS) President, who were eager to break their silence in the public domain on the issue. Here is what they had to say…

JOSHUA GRIFFITH, current UGSS President: “We are awaiting word from the students on what action we should take in response to the industrial action set for Monday. We, however, do not consider the staff our enemy; we understand the struggles that they face. We will, however, be working with the staff and students to negotiate measures to mitigate the negative effects the industrial action will have on students.”
AKEEM PETERS, International Relations major: “Considering that we are all academics at the University of Guyana, we must also consider the possibility of the university being the embryo for leaders. And with the university’s current dilemma, can great leaders be produced? Our motto is ‘One People, One Nation and One Destiny’. I stand in solidarity with the staff of the University of Guyana; it’s time to take a stand; a stand which will enable great leaders to arise.”

JENELL PIERRE, Business Management major: “It has long been said that the youths are the future. Education is the key; and we all depend on teachers to educate the nation. That is their job; and every job must bring a level of satisfaction and fulfilment in order for an individual to do it every day. These incentives are crucial; be it monitor or non monitor. The finger pointing, procrastination, and complacency need to come to a screeching halt, and resolutions need to be found and forward movements need to take place, none of which can happen unless those at the top hold one head and really think of the future of Guyana.”

SHEROD DUNCAN, Communications major: “I think it’s time our lecturers are treated fairly and compensated adequately. The UGSS should show solidarity with the Unions, while itself protesting the continued unacceptable conditions under which students receive their education at UG.”

DELLON MURRAY, International Relations major: “The industrial action by the University workers cannot be separated from the challenges the University of Guyana students encounter. At the end of the day, we (workers and students) are pleading for betterment: The workers are asking for more pay for their labour; and students are asking for better services for the increased fees they pay.

“Consequently, to see the industrial action as a hindrance to acquiring an education rather than a means to which a better education can be acquired is to be selfish, unreasonable, and naïve to the reality of the struggles of campus life for all of us, including our lecturers.
“Think of it: Wouldn’t it make more sense to have lecturers and service officers remunerated handsomely for their work, thus enabling them to execute their duties in an efficient manner that would benefit the students in the short and long-run? I have three (3) more semesters to earn my degree, but those that are part of this industrial action toiled in all the crap before I got there. So how can I be so selfish as to not support their call for a better work standard with pay?”