Irate Utech students march on Ministry of Education amid lecturer strike
Students from the University of
Technology’s (UTech) continue their peaceful protest at the headquarters of the
Ministry of Education in Kingston, braving humid conditions on Thursday,
October 31.
Voicing their concern with the current
impasse between the Government and lecturers at the institution, dozens of
students turned out with signs voicing their displeasure at the situation,
which has escalated to the extent where classes have been suspended.
Student union representatives, including President Kahlil Hutchinson, First VP, Academic Affairs, Clubs & Societies Rovel Chambers, Hall Chairperson Trudy-Ann Smart as well as VP of Public Relations Raihanna Wallace led the protest from UTech’s Old Road campus to Heroes Circle.
The BUZZ team observed a light police presence in the vicinity of the Ministry of Education overlooking the student protest.
Utech’s student leadership has been locked
in a meeting with interim Education Minister Karl Samuda and Acting Permanent
Secretary within the ministry, Grace McLean.
Earlier this morning, UTech President Professor
Stephen Vasciannie, tried without success to persuade Hutchinson not to follow
through with the student protest.
Happening Now: President of The University of Technology, Jamaica, Professor Stephen Vasciannie, trying to persuade President of the — UTech Journalism (@ujs_news)
Happening Now: President of The University of Technology, Jamaica, Professor Stephen Vasciannie, trying to persuade President of the — UTech Journalism (@ujs_news) @UTStudentsUnion Kahlil Hutchinson not to follow through with the student strike that is scheduled to take place at the MOE this morning. pic.twitter.com/amDGhJBoyaOctober 31, 2019
Lecturers at the Papine-based campus have been
off the job since last week Friday to register their disappointment with the
government’s failure to pay outstanding sums.
The Ministry of Finance has reportedly expressed
that it is not in a position to make the payments, a move which has further
angered the staff.
More details to come in subsequent updates.
