Page 13 - IB September 2024

Education Education

reportedly sent to the Council alongside a petition signed any change in its initial position.
by 88 students claiming a shortage of teaching faculty was The high number of vacancies was one of the reasons the
putting a strain on their education. unions voted to go on strike in March, claiming that between
“There is a shortage of staff, and we are feeling the effect 2018 and 2023, vacant positions had increased to 455, and
with our studies,” the letter from the Geospatial Science management had refused to fill them.
students said. “The tutorial classes are larger than usual,
making it hard for us to get the attention we need as per the External perspectives
normal 20-25 students per session. In some cases, classes have USP Alumni, retired staff member, and former Staff
been cancelled,” the petition said. Association President, Elizabeth Reade Fong, was advisor
“With five GIS courses offered this semester, there is only to the USPSA Federal Committee on Administration until
one full-time lecturer, and the rest are consultants who December 2023.
are not around for student consultations, especially when Fong claims the Students’ Association’s statement in support
we need them to seek clarification on assignments. These of the VCP contradicts the struggles felt on the ground.
services are important to us, and without them, many “My knowledge is that while certain people in USPSA are
students are struggling and on the failure route. saying that the students support the VCP, the actual vote in
“We know that the current staff are doing their best under Council, after a few executives consulted the students, was
these circumstances, and we deeply appreciate their efforts. to not vote for the VCP’s contract renewal,” Fong shared.
However, we are worried that if this issue is not addressed, She was referring to the Council’s narrow, 13 to 10 vote last
it could affect our performance this semester and our November to extend Ahluwalia’s contract by two years.
completion of the program,” the letter said. “So, there is some disconnect between what is being said
The letter from the group of Earth Science students echoed by certain USP executives, and what the students feel on the
similar concerns, stating that, “one of the core expectations ground. That’s my knowledge.
when enrolling in a face-to-face (F2F) mode is the availability “I do think there’s not been consultation with the students.
of direct consultation with our lecturers. Unfortunately, this It’s a students association. There needs to be enough
has not been the case. consultation to come to the decision. That’s my view,” Fong
“The shift to online lectures, which closely resemble said.
watching videos on YouTube, raises concerns about the The call for Osborne-Naikatini’s reinstatement is being
value of the education we are receiving compared to the championed by external bodies as well.
fees we are paying. YouTube videos, while informative, are On August 20, a letter to Ahluwalia from Education
free, whereas we are paying substantial tuition fees with International for the Asia-Pacific Region was made public.
the expectation of interactive, face-to-face learning. This is Education International, a Global Union Federation spanning
particularly disheartening when considering that course units over 170 countries and territories, including all 12 USP
member countries, lists among its core values the aim to
“defend and promote democracy, peace, social justice, and
human rights, including trade union rights and the right to
education”.
The letter signed by Chief Regional Coordinator Anand
Fiji’s Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro, has Singh said, “Education International (El) and its 32.5 million
called for a special Council meeting. Photo: Fiji teachers and education personnel in 171 countries, express
Government Facebook page
deep concern and strong disapproval regarding the recent
termination of Dr Tamara Osborne-Naikatini, President of
the Association of the University of the South Pacific Staff
(AUSPS).
“Education International Asia Pacific stands firmly with
were registered under F2F mode, only to be informed in the Dr Osborne-Naikatini and the AUSPS in condemning this
second or third week that they would be conducted 100% unjust action. We urge the University of the South Pacific
online in a blended mode,” the letter said. administration to immediately reinstate Dr Osborne-
Similar issues have also been raised by the postgraduate Naikatini to her position and to reaffirm its commitment to
student group that has been lobbying for Osborne-Naikatini’s upholding the principles of academic freedom and freedom of
reinstatement. A representative of the group outlined expression.”
concerns about the lack of face-to-face options for Biology
students based outside of Fiji, highlighting the difficulties of What now?
pursuing the sciences without supervised laboratory work. Following the very public furore over Osborne-Naikatini’s
Several members of the affected postgraduate student dismissal and the University’s unions voting for a second time
group, have said however, that after the social media outcry, this year to go on, the matter was raised in Fiji’s Parliament
the Students’ Association has been more receptive to the
group’s struggles. However, the Association has not signalled Continued on page 18

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