STATEMENT BY THE NATIONAL UNION OF GHANA STUDENTS (NUGS) ON THE POTAG STRIKE ACTIONS

DATE: 30TH MAY, 2012

PRESIDENT MILLS' GOVERNMENT IS NOT A LISTENING ONE - GOVERNMENT SHOULD WAKE UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY IN THE EDUCATION OF THE GHANAIAN CITIZENERY

I would start by saying that, contrary to the popular slogan that President Mills' government is a listening one, NUGS thinks otherwise. How would anyone in the face of these intermittent strikes by POTAG call President Mills' government a listening one; when the very issues for the previous strike actions are the same reasons we are getting again from POTAG.

As students of this country, we wish to express in very unambiguous terms that President Mills' government has been sleeping for far too long on issues of Education and probably other areas of governance,however the main concern of this statement is to look at the prevailing issue of the POTAG strikes.

The purpose of education is to 'prepare oneself or others intellectually for mature life'. If we are to satisfy this fundamental reason for education, the way to go is to make a deliberate attempt to invest in the future leaders of this country through education. What this country needs is more people who dare to ask 'Why?' and 'Why not?' People who are not slaves to change, but yearn to create the change needed to move Ghana forward.

With the way education is being handled by this current NDC government; I am afraid we may not be able to reach our aspirations as a people.

Government has the primary responsibility for education. Therefore, the onus rests on government to ensure that the tax payers' money is well allocated to the appropriate sectors of the economy. Governments over the years have sought to create a literate society through very prudent policies; however, same cannot be said of this NDC government.

The only constant thing we have seen with the current NDC government is one that engages in misplaced priorities; almost every time chasing the shadow, and leaving the substance.

On the scale of preference of this government, education is last. This government has lost the true meaning of education somewhere in the paper chase and paychecks.

If lecturers are demoralized and sidelined, then our education has no future. This is the biggest reason why our students are underperforming, and this will continue so long as government maintains this laid-back attitude towards polytechnic education.

We must also realize that should things remain like this, polytechnic students will be forced to go home because it will make no sense to still be on campus when lecturers are on strike.

It does not have to be this way. The lecturers have indicated their readiness for mutual responsibility, ready for better assessments of student learning that honour our classroom practice and students' capacity for critical thinking. What remains is for government to do its part by sticking to its side of the bargain.

Specifically, NUGS is requesting Government to do the following within Fourteen (14) Working Days;

· Address the concerns of POTAG indefinitely

NUGS will resort to its confrontational attitude (which has worked in the past) if this request is not met within the stipulated time.

If we don't stand up for our rights immediately there may be none left for us stand up for in the future.

In the mean time however, NUGS wishes to encourage all polytechnic students to still be on campus and make profitable use of their time.

NUGS looks forward to an early resolution in this matter to save this academic calendar from being utterly disrupted.

In Solidarity with all polytechnic students.
Aluta Continua, Victoria Ascerta.