Christian Lawyers Centre also referred to as LEGAL LINK, a non – profit legal advocacy group, has outrightly condemned in the strongest of terms the just formed National Union of SLPP Lecturers and demand it immediate dissolution.
The Organization said in a statement on Tuesday 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”.
“This move therefore by a few SLPP university lecturers must be resisted, abhorred and condemned by all as it is not only disgraceful to 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,” Legal Link said in its statement.
The Organisation calls 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.
Legal Link said in its statement 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.
The reasons for such is to prevent Universities from becoming politicized as a result of the politicization of its workforce; prevent the victimization of students by lecturers who may not necessarily share the same political views, orientation and associations with them; and 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 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.
About Legal Link
Christian Lawyers Centre hereinafter referred to as LEGAL LINK is a non – profit legal advocacy group comprising of lawyers and human right activists that seek to defend the rights of religious communities and vulnerable groups in Sierra Leone.
By Sallieu S. Kanu
10/02/2021. ISSUE NO: 7999