Students from the University of the South Pacific staged a significant protest yesterday, calling for reforms in the university’s teaching methods. They claimed that many courses are being taught by consultants rather than qualified professional lecturers.
Reports indicate that the protest led to the dismissal of Dr. Tamara Osborne Naikatini.
Among those participating was Semesa Nawasoni, President of the Yasana ko Ba Student Association. He expressed that the strike stemmed from unaddressed grievances, highlighting that many decisions were made by the USP Students Association without consulting students.
“The protest arose because many students feel their voices are not being considered, particularly regarding their teaching staff,” Nawasoni stated.
He urged the university management to prioritize hiring professional educators and emphasized the necessity for student concerns to be acknowledged.
“All we want is for qualified teaching professionals to take their rightful place, and for our concerns to be treated with the seriousness they deserve,” he added.
From the perspective of the University’s I-Taukei Student Association, President Manasa Navara claimed he was unaware of any communication breakdown, noting that he has consistently relayed student grievances to the appropriate channels.
“We have maintained strict protocols for communication, and I’m unsure where the disconnect occurred. I believe I have done everything possible to ensure students’ concerns are passed on,” Navara remarked.
Meanwhile, sources have confirmed that the student-led protest will continue until the USP Students Association reaches a decision that addresses the needs of both students and staff effectively.
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