This archive report was first published on 22 August 2019.
Last week, a group of students from a local university took to social media to air their grievances about being locked out of graduation. The reason? Fee payments had not been made on time, and as a result, their names were not on the list. But what caught everyone's attention was the chorus of lecturers withholding marks due to delayed payments.
While we often make light of lecturers and their quirks, there are those who go above and beyond to ensure students receive value for their time and money. These lecturers research, reply to emails at 2am, and show up to class on time. They set papers from the taught course material, a breath of fresh air from those who recycle exam papers.
However, when push comes to shove, these same lecturers will withhold marks because they have responsibilities and money is not forthcoming from universities. It's a painful reality that highlights the struggles of lecturers who are not just educators but also breadwinners.
As we reflect on this issue, it's essential to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of lecturers who are often underappreciated and underpaid. It's time for universities to take responsibility and pay lecturers their dues promptly.
