Crisis on campus: the higher education out of money

As if the issue was restricted to the financial side, the Finance ministry is trying to pressure the university’s strikers, namely Professors and staff members, in order to draw them to resume duty. Hery Rajaonarimampianina believes that some 8 incoming billions of Ariary are dimmed to settle the issues. But there might be quite a long while to wait for before having a slice of this jackpot where it is supposed to go to. This money is supposed to  settle 50% of the current problems: delayed wages, subsidies and unpaid overtime.

The higher education ministry skirted around the wage and funding delays with an alleged complicated implementation of a more efficient expense control system. In the end, professors having declared less than 900 hours long overtime in 2009 can expect to be paid, while those who declared more can expect the same but a short while later, after the new system’s completion. The system is justified, but only its adoption took no less than ten months. Subsequent doubts and fears are allowed.

The transparent management system’s implementation is the official cause for the universities’ budget delays. During the latest five years, expenditure reports have practically no more been compulsory. The ministry declared that this budget would have to be reduced by 50%, in compliance with the austerity policy, better than nothing, better than the very real 0% of granted budget during the first semester.

Athanase Tongavelo, higher education minister, put the sudden implementation of the LMD system forth, well an advantage in this university crisis situation.  The credit system allows the reduction of professors’ overtime. Per 25 hours per module, 10 will be dedicated to teaching, while the rest will be remaining for the student’s personal researches.

So reads the HAT minister’s parade to the professors’ claimed 1080 overtime hours, claims supported by Vontovorona’s Polytechnic School’s students.  They didn’t give up even though police forces scattered their demonstrations on the National Road 1.  They actually resumed with a very strong delegation right in front of the ministry’s facilities. They left relieved. Teaching will be reduced to 600 hours, but the total amount will be allowed to reach  more than the double due to personal work. The LMD in action!!!

Students are actually so scared by potential failed academic years that they are bound to study in the worst conditions. Only the literary department is still striking on Ankatso’s campus. It isn’t keen on making do with 10%. Most of the others didn’t buy it. Some gave in, no budget allowed at all, although some are preparing exams. Even the idea of claiming for more from minister Tongavelo is become a dividing bell