Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • Videos
  • Career & Education
  • Classifieds
  • All Woman
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Design Week
Higher education administration: A dissatisfaction to our students
Many young people can only achieve a better future through obtaining a university education.
Letters
May 3, 2022

Higher education administration: A dissatisfaction to our students

Dear Editor,

The lack of efficiency with administrative processes within our tertiary institutions is beyond unacceptable.

For this reason, many students are left to feel as though the system only cares about collecting their tuition and not about their well-being and academic advancement. This has caused many university students to become bitter and pledge that they will never recommend a prospective student to choose their alma mater or programmes of study.

Some, in anger, describe their institutions using a pun to play on their names or mottos; for example, “you tek” or “where learning never ends” because some students feel like their institution is all about taking their money and keeping them in university forever.

Prior to the novel coronavirus pandemic, students had to deal with a sluggish system and lackadaisical administrative staff. COVID-19 has exacerbated that, and the system has now become more lethargic. Phone calls go unanswered and e-mails go unread. A simple query that requires a student to progress to another semester or complete their degree ends up taking months to be rectified. How come? And when students request a follow-up, they are given the runaround. Nobody wants to take responsibility.

Another issue with which students have to contend is the lack of guidance from their academic advisors. Students are assigned an advisor, and this information is posted on notice boards; however, to what extent does communication take place between these parties? Academic bulletins are sometimes upgraded without proper communication to the students; consequently, students get confused concerning course selections. In more dire situations, some of them spend a year or more in university than expected, especially as they have to wait until certain courses are offered again.

Furthermore, with the rising cost of tuition, some institutional courses are facing great scrutiny from students. They do not understand how some courses correspond to any of their academic or professional objectives. What enrages students even more is the fact that some of these mandatory courses account for a significant number of credits, and they are as expensive as the courses specific to their areas of specialisation.

It is no secret that the majority of our students struggle to finance their tertiary education. They already have to deal with academic and mental stress, substandard teaching, in some cases, and condescending lecturers. Why do we put unnecessary pressure on them?

Too often our students feel as though the system is against them. Too often higher education institutions give the impression that students are not their number one priority. Remember, if there are no students, universities will become obsolete.

In a country where our young people find it difficult to have hope in our political and socio-economic systems, we must use our educational institutions to champion their empowerment, especially as many of them only see a better future through obtaining a university education.

As colleges and universities prepare for the next academic year, may they encourage their administrative and academic staff to act with more alacrity regarding students’ overall college experience.

Oneil Madden

maddenoneil@yahoo.com

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

Fi We Children condemns violence at Zimi Seh Beach that left two teens injured
Latest News, News
Fi We Children condemns violence at Zimi Seh Beach that left two teens injured
August 14, 2026
Fi We Children Foundation (FWCF) has condemned the altercation at the Zimi Seh Beach party in St Ann that left two teenage boys, ages 15 and 17, injur...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Haitian PM reiterates elections will take place this year
Latest News, Regional
Haitian PM reiterates elections will take place this year
August 14, 2026
PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti (CMC) —  Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé says the “the elections will take place this year, no matter what” as the ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Cardi B to perform in Jamaica at BZR WKND on October 18
Entertainment, Latest News
Cardi B to perform in Jamaica at BZR WKND on October 18
KEVIN JACKSON, Observer writer 
August 14, 2026
Multi-platinum selling rapper Cardi B is set to headline a concert in Jamaica on Sunday, October 18 at the National Stadium. The event, billed Cardi B...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
PNPYO calls for urgent response to teacher ‘migration crisis’
Latest News, News
PNPYO calls for urgent response to teacher ‘migration crisis’
August 14, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The People’s National Party Youth Organisation (PNPYO) is calling on the Government to implement a comprehensive national teacher-...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Colombia quake survivor faces life without triplet sisters
International News, Latest News
Colombia quake survivor faces life without triplet sisters
August 14, 2026
CALI, Colombia (AFP) — Colombian earthquake survivor Ana Maria Saavedra is out of physical danger, but for her the hardest part lies ahead: starting a...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Nicole Landry touts Chakra for healing
Latest News, Lifestyle
Nicole Landry touts Chakra for healing
Howard Campbell 
August 14, 2026
The global popularity of yoga has prompted interest in other meditative exercises such as Chakra, a healing process linked to seven energy centres of ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Avaran builds Jamaican momentum with ‘Sunshine After Rain’
Entertainment, Latest News
Avaran builds Jamaican momentum with ‘Sunshine After Rain’
August 14, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Bahamian reggae artiste Avaran is pleased with the response to his lovers rock single  Sunshine After Rain  following a week-long ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Construction of New Alexandria Market progressing well, says mayor
Latest News, News
Construction of New Alexandria Market progressing well, says mayor
August 14, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Residents of Alexandria and surrounding communities in St Ann are set to benefit from a new market, with construction of the expan...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct