UTAG strike: UG, KNUST suspend end of semester exams
The University of Ghana (UG) and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) have suspended indefinitely, their end of second-semester examinations.
The suspension of the exams by the two universities is because of the ongoing industrial action by the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG).
At a Business and Executive Meeting held on Friday, August 6, the Management of UG resolved to terminate the end-of-semester exams for first and final-year students.
“The Business and Executive Committee of the University of Ghana at its meeting of 6th August 2021, decided to postpone the upcoming Level 100 and Level 400 second semester 2020/2021 academic year examinations due to the ongoing strike actions,” part of a statement issued by the Registrar,” Emelia Agyei-Mensah read.
In addition, the university has adjourned the resumption of school for level 200 and level 300 batches for the second semester.
The university also noted that though it remained open, academic activities would resume when services were restored.
Similarly, KNUST, has called off the end of semester exams for students.
“It is announced for the information of all students and staff that due to the ongoing strike by UTAG, the end-of-semester examinations originally scheduled for Monday, 9th August 2021 to Friday 20th August 2021 have been temporarily suspended until further notice.”
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday, August 6, by the university and endorsed by the Deputy Registrar in charge of Academic Affairs at the KNUST, Margaret Dzisi.
Mrs Dzisi added that a new schedule for the examinations will be released at the appropriate time,” and apologised for any inconvenience caused.
UTAG resolves to continue with strike till demands are met
Meanwhile, UTAG has resolved not to return to the lecture halls, despite the National Labour Commission (NLC) securing an ex parte interlocutory injunction to compel the Association to call off their strike.
According to the National Chairman, Professor Charles Marfo, UTAG has not received any such official document on the injunction, therefore it would continue with their strike until their demands were met.
“It is disappointing they are saying we refused to show up when they summoned us and also to the court. This kind of situation weakens the confidence the citizens have in state institutions,” he complained.
Prof Marfo was reacting to the said injunction by NLC in an interview monitored by The Ghana Report on Adom FM’s midday news on Friday, August 6.
The UTAG strike
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of UTAG directed members to withdraw all teaching and related activities beginning Monday, August 2.
Members of the Association complied with the directive and laid down their tools.
Their labour unrest is because of concerns raised over the restoration of the conditions of service agreed upon with the government in 2012.
Per the 2012 arrangement, the basic plus market premium of a lecturer has been pegged at $2,084.42, but UTAG has lamented that the current arrangement has reduced its members’ basic premiums to $997.84.
READ ALSO: End Nationwide Strike And Meet Us On Thursday – NLC Tells UTAG, SSA-UoG
Earlier in the week, a meeting between the government and the UTAG to bring an end to the strike by members of the association ended in a stalemate.
UTAG met with the government on Tuesday, but the meeting ended in a stalemate, with the Association indicating no resolution to their grievances was reached.