The ongoing protests at the University of the South Pacific are raising concerns among students as exam time approaches. The Acting President of the Association for the University of the South Pacific Staff (AUSPS), Krishnil Ram, confirmed that lectures for several units have been postponed due to professors and tutors participating in the strike.
Final year Environment Management student Josaia Lacanivalu highlighted the significance of their involvement in the strike, emphasizing the need for resolution to allow classes to resume. He expressed, “All we want is for a resolution to be reached so that our teachers can come back to classes because exams are also coming up. We want revisions to be carried out, and if our tutors and lecturers are on strike, that will not be possible.”
Lacanivalu acknowledged the reasons behind the teachers’ strike but urged the chair of the USP Students Association to make transparent decisions, noting that this has been lacking for some time. “While our teachers have their reasons for their strike and we are here to support it, we also need changes made by the USP Students Association. Transparency is crucial, as students should be informed before any decisions are made because they exist for the students and not for themselves.”
Ram stated that while the strike may impact students, staff members are doing their best to limit disruptions. He remarked, “Some staff members who are present at the strike secretly go back and teach a few of the students because they care about their students. We are carrying out this strike not just for ourselves but for our future leaders who will take over the university in our absence.”
As more than 150 USP staff members strike, the university has entered negotiations as of today, bringing a glimmer of hope for both staff and students.