By Fareeza Haniff
[www.inewsguyana.com] – President Donald Ramotar has committed to rectifying the student loan issue affecting University of Guyana students before the new academic year.
He told reporters at a news conference yesterday that the matter is under active consideration by the Cabinet.
“We are not going to allow the students unnecessary suffering,” President Ramotar said.
On August 12, the Univeristy’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi threatened to close down the institution in the second week of the semester if the Ministry of Finance continues to be unresponsive in dealing with the issues of student loans to ensure students gain access.
At a press conference, Professor Opadeyi had explained that this is plan ‘B’ for the University’s administration, since it will now await a formal word from the Ministry on the matter.
He made it clear that the University will not offer its services only to those who can pay but prefers to close its doors to all. When asked if this was a unilateral decision, he responded “I am the CEO”.
Meanwhile, President Ramotar reminded that it was the combined Opposition in Parliament that reduced UG’s 2014 budgetary allocation of $450M to zero.
