UG staff association dismayed at holdup of lecturers’ contracts

TIMES INT'L

The University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) said it is extremely dismayed at the recent decision by the appointments committee to send contracts of several lecturers which had been approved by the vice chancellor to the university council for further consideration.

The association said in a statement this decision has severe negative implications for all stakeholders and appears ill-advised. According to the association, students will be seriously disadvantaged if a decision is taken to rescind these lecturers’ contracts, as their classes have already commenced, and in fact, more than half the semester has elapsed.

“These lecturers have been already engaged in teaching, have been paid by the university and have a reasonable expectation that they will be employed for the current academic year. The academic staff at the university are aware that while this decision affects only a few lecturers, it has implications for all.”

According to the release, the decision questions the academic competence of departments, noting that the latter are best positioned to determine staffing needs.

“The appointments committee and the university council do not have the capacity nor competence to instruct departments, either directly or indirectly. We strongly urge the council to take a decision that is in the best interest of all stakeholders,” the statement concluded.

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