Wa, April 12, GNA – The Student’s Representative Council (SRC) of the University for Development Studies (UDS), has appealed to government to fast track negotiations with the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), so that the teachers could call off their strike and return to the lecture halls.
The SRC said because education is a strong pillar for national development, it should not be undermined.
Mr. Awudu Kanton, central president of the SRC, made the call at a news conference at the Wa campus of the University, on Wednesday, said students were not happy about the disruption of the academic programme as a result of the UTAG action.
He said that if the strike persists for 21 days, the University’s academic calendar would have to be rescheduled, a situation that would affect final year students.
Mr. Kanton: said ‘UDS as mandated by PNDC law 279 runs on trimester basis, of which during this period students embark on field practical training program, which forms a major component of the institution’s academic structure.
‘It on this basis of our unique system that we plead with the government of Ghana to help fast track the necessary arrangements to help resolve the current strike’.
He noted that students could not afford an extension of the academic calendar as they had already stayed on campus for almost months.
The students on Thursday morning embarked on a peaceful demonstration and presented a petition to the Upper West Regional Minister.
Members of UNTAG are on strike to impress on the government, through the Fair Wages and Salary Commission, for the payment of the arrears of market premium.
GNA