The President of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) of the University of Cape Coast, Mr. Samuel Kwabena Adotei has hinted of an impending press conference today Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at the school’s premises.
The press conference is to address the current impasse of a strike action by the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) across the country.
The aim of the press conference is to draw the attention of the government to the teachers strike action which is affecting the academic calendar especially when the level 100 students just arrived on campus.
“The strike action is having an adverse effect on students. Currently, all campus activities are halted unlike the normal days, students will be in the lecture theatre by 6:30 am waiting for lecturers. A lot of these students are in their halls of residence and hostels. If this strike continues, then it means that, at a point in time the academic content of students is going to be compromise upon which in the long run would affect the skills these student are expected to have as graduates,” he said.
He recounted how students engage in unnecessary activities adding that his office receive cases because of idleness on the part of students.
Mr. Adotei is of the view that if lecturers were teaching, first years students could use the orientation in the classroom to find their rendition.
He said, the leadership of the SRC met with stakeholders at the local level precisely leaders of various halls to engage students on the impasse.
He further stated that the issues raised by the lecturers are commendable and if the government is going to work on them, it’s not only going to motivate them but also enable the lecturers to swiftly act on issues faced by students in their academics.
He called on the government to act quickly to address concerns raised by the UTAG.
Mr. Adotei however assured parents who have wards in the University not to panic as students are in good hands.
Meanwhile, public universities across the country could be shut down after 21-days of non – academic work following the University Teachers Association of Ghana strike.
University Teachers Association embarked on a strike on January 10, and have been at it till now.
According to the UTAG, the strike action is in response to “the worsening Conditions of Service (CoS) of the University Teachers and the failure of the Employer in addressing the plight of UTAG members within the agreed timelines”.
Despite meeting with leadership from UTAG and the National Labour Commission (NLC), UTAG has failed to call off its strike as the NLC described the strike action as illegal.
