By Amin Kef Sesay
In a position statement issued by Legal Link on the 9th February 2021 on Political Lecturers Associations within the University of Sierra Leone, the rights based organization stated that while it is true that Universities across the world do allow for and/or maintain political parties students Associations within their respective campuses, it is highly unlikely however to find political party lecturer’s Associations operating lawfully within a University academic environment.
It furthered that the reasons for such scarcity and /or dis-allowment of these kinds of political associations are obvious:
First, it is to prevent Universities from becoming politicized as a result of the politicization of its workforce.
Secondly, to prevent the victimization of students by lecturers who may not necessarily share the same political views, orientation and associations with them and finally, since the University serves as the last beacon of hope towards the reformation of a student’s mindset, character, enlightenment, independent thinking and perspective in life, allowing for such open politicization of lecturers is not only dangerous for learning but will further bring political chaos to an environment that is supposed to be conducive and ultimately undermine the core objectives of the University; which is to impart knowledge, build capacities and promote research.
It is against this backdrop, according to Legal Link, that many Universities across the world have set out clear policy guidelines and directives regarding the open involvement of its staff and lecturers in political activities.
Giving an example, the organization cited a renowned University policy guidance on the involvement of its staff and officials in open political activities:
“The University shall not, through its officials or units, participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office. This prohibits the University from donating to political candidates, political campaign organizations, political parties, political action committees and political Organizations. This policy also prohibits the University’s direct or indirect payment or reimbursement of costs incurred by University officials, administrators, faculty and staff to attend a candidate campaign event, such as a breakfast, lunch, dinner or gala. In addition, University officials, administrators, faculty, and staff are not authorized in their official capacity to make public or media statements in support of, or in opposition to, a political campaign or candidate for public office. When making such statements in their capacity as private citizens, such persons must indicate clearly that they are not representing the University or speaking for, or on behalf of, the University.”
Legal Link said flowing from the above University policy guidance therefore, they outrightly condemn in the strongest of terms the just formed National Union of SLPP Lecturers and urgently demand for an immediate dissolution of same.
“We further call on the University of Sierra Leone and all other tertiary institutions to issue out policy guidance or directives regarding the open involvement into political activities of its staff and lecturers forthwith,” the organization further demands.
It continued that at a time when academic learning particularly within tertiary institutions is facing serious setbacks, such open politicization by lecturers will finally succeed in sending university education into perpetual coma; immersed into the deep abyss.
Legal Link ended by stating that such a move therefore by a few SLPP university lecturers must be resisted, abhorred and condemned by all saying it is not only disgraceful to the academia but also has the proclivity of undermining the operations of ASA and place politics over merit as the ‘new normal’ assessment standard within higher institutions of learning in Sierra Leone.
