Examinations at the University of The Gambia have been disrupted as staffs of the faculty begin a sit-down strike, which has been denounced by the vice-chancellor of the university.
The staffs are demanding more than D150 million from the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Technology and other needs including conducive learning environment.
“Management condemns such action in the strongest possible terms and wishes to assure the students that exams will proceed as scheduled. Failure to administer exams by UTG staff from 1st July to 15th July 2021 would constitute an act of gross misconduct with grave consequences. Management therefore urges all HoDs (Heads of Department), Deans and Faculty Officers to complete all the exam logistics as soon as practicable,” Professor Faqir Muhammad Anjum said in a counter statement.
It added that the UTG management found the announcement of the staff association’s decision to embark on an industrial action with effect from (yesterday) 1st July 2021 ‘very bizarre and incomprehensible’.
“It has been brought to my attention by the UTGFSA Secretary General that they would embark on an industrial action with effect from Thursday, 1st July 2021. I found the notification very bizarre and incomprehensible on account of the fact that there were no prior negotiations or dialogue between Management and the UTGFSA executive on any issue. We therefore view the action taken by the UTGFSA executive as reprehensible and a great betrayal of trust,” statement declared.
Although, the UTG management seems unmoved by the announcement, as the association maintained that the strike will hold until they meet with the management, Minister, National Assembly, and representatives from the Office of The President. This has put students in a limbo as to whether or not the exams will proceed as scheduled, given that the staff are key in administering the assessments.
