The Student Union at the University of Jaffna has criticised the unexplained decision to keep teaching suspended until December, despite all other universities in Sri Lanka being set to reopen on Monday 18th November.
See original statement on Uthayan (Tamil). Translation follows below:
See original statement on Uthayan (Tamil). Translation follows below:
"The University Grants Commission announced that classes in all universities would be suspended for the Commonwealth summit, between 11th and 17th November. University students were also ordered to vacate their accommodation for this period.
This order applied to all universities. However it was announced that Jaffna University specifically would be on leave until December 1st and that until then, students would not be permitted to return to their accommodation or to enter the campus premises.
This policy attacks Jaffna students’ ability to progress academically.
The closure particularly inconveniences several faculties which only commenced teaching in the second semester.
Universities in the south are already at advantage with undisrupted course progression, and such unnecessary closures will further damage Jaffna students’ learning experience. Such disruptions will also call into question the standard of qualifications in the future.
The University of Jaffna plays a very central role in the public life of the Tamil people and it is worrying to see the changes taking place in its management. The administration should act immediately to stop such unwanted measures and reopen Jaffna University on the date that all other universities resume their activities."