VICE Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Ivelaw Griffith, has said he would ask his administration to hold off on a five percent hike in tuition following protest actions by students of the institution.Students picketed the university on Monday. They began their protest action since last Friday, when many took to social media to vent their concerns about the tuition increase.
The Monday morning protest was held in front of the Registrar area, where students proudly held placards, some of which stated “Education is not a privilege, it is a right”, “Not a dollar more”, “Not another increase, strike the hike”.

The protesters later held a meeting with the Vice Chancellor (VC) in the George Walcott Lecture Theatre, during which Griffith announced his decision to hold off on the increase. He told the students that he understands why they are angry, and to make them comfortable he has discussed with the administration that the five percent increase will not be in effect until the new academic year, 2017-2018.

In addition to the tuition hike, students raised other concerns. Student Romel Roopnaraine said he is more worried after the meeting than he was before. He noted that the students have been complaining about issues that affect them directly at UG, while the administration has set aside over $250M in a bank account that is not being used, which was gained from students’ facilities fees.

This money, he believes, could have been used to rectify the washroom conditions and to add more fans within buildings; since, only two weeks ago, a female student fainted because of the heat in the place.

Griffith and his team explained how the money collected for facilities fees is being used. The VC promised “that by the end of the academic year students should see some improvements on the campus.”