Protests at the University of the South Pacific (USP) are ongoing as students prepare for their upcoming examinations, leading to concerns about their impact on academic schedules.
Krishnil Ram, the Acting President of the Association for the University of the South Pacific Staff (AUSPS), confirmed that due to the ongoing strike by professors and tutors, lectures for several units have been postponed.
Final year Environmental Management student Josaia Lacanivalu emphasized the necessity of the strike, hoping it prompts a resolution and reinstates normal class schedules. “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 as well, and if our tutors and lecturers are on strike, that will not be possible,” he stated.
Lacanivalu acknowledged the reasons behind the strike but urged the chair of the USP Students Association to ensure transparency in decision-making, suggesting that students need to be informed before any decisions are made, given that the association exists for their benefit.
Ram also noted that while the strike is creating disruption, staff members are doing their best to mitigate the consequences for students. He mentioned that some staff members participating in the strike are discreetly teaching students to show their commitment to education.
With more than 150 staff members on strike, a positive development has emerged, as the initial round of negotiations for the Council commenced today.