Former UPNG SRC president supports silent minority

A former president of the University of Papua New Guinea Student Representative Council has spoken out supporting the silent minority of students who wish to return to classes.

UPNG SRC president in 2011, Bill Minjukul has raised concerns that the prolonged boycott and suspension of classes indefinitely has affected the silent minority of students who are afraid to speak up.

Minjukul called for normalcy on campus and the university council to quickly restructure the academic calendar and allow students to return to class.

He said a minority of students have approached him for advice on how to deal with the issue as they are worried that their education has been taken away from them.

Minjukul called on the SRC to work towards restoring normalcy on campus so that the indefinite suspension of classes can be lifted.

As a former leader of the SRC who led the student protest during the political impasse in 2011, Minjukul urged the current SRC leaders to establish different means and dialogues to deal with the issue rather than compromising students’ studies.

“The student minority wants to go back to class but they’re being intimated.

“Student leaders must be diplomatic in how they deal with politics and the issues of this country and should not jeopardize the education of students,” Minjukul said.

Minjukul urged concerned parents and the student minority to come out and express their concerns.

Meantime, with the suspension of classes by the university council as of May 24, students have remained on campus since last week.

This follows a temporary stay against the eviction of students from both the Waigani and Taurama campus issued last week by the National Court.

This temporary stay is in place until Wednesday (June 1) where parties will return to court.

Author: 
Quintina Naime