Lecturers of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) did not return to the classroom on Thursday, to the disappointment of students.

A statement issued by the University’s Deputy Registrar, Academic Affairs, on Tuesday, “announced for the information of students and staff, that, following the suspension of the industrial action by UTAG, lectures for the 2022 academic year will begin on Thursday, 24^th February, 2022”.

The students however returned to meet no lecturers in the classrooms on Thursday.

“We’re confused. If I go home today, coming back will be a problem; and staying here too is a problem and they are not telling us that they are closing down the school,” said a worried student.

Speaking on Luv In The Morning on Luv Fm, the University's Public Relations Officer, Dr. Daniel Norris Bekoe, encouraged students to keep hope alive as the lecturers prepare to return to the classroom.

He urged the students to focus on their activities and course syllabus by reading materials within the period.

“The temporary suspension of the UTAG strike brings mixed feelings but I see it as an opportunity for our lecturers to engage our students, at least give them course outline and then begin to activate the various [learning] platforms,” he said.

The temporary suspension of the strike was also welcoming by the students' leadership.

“I’m very hopeful as a student leader that we won’t get back to that point again,” said Michael Abuah, SRC President.

“We are just joyous about the situation and we are jumping at the opportunity to meet our lecturers again because it’s been a long time that we had that engagement with them”.

He added that first year students are particularly happy about meeting their lecturers after being on campus for seven weeks.

But the resumption of the lecturers for academic activities will be clear after the KNUST chapter of UTAG completes a voting process on Friday to accept or reject the temporary suspension of their strike.

Dr. Bekoe is pleading with the KNUST lecturers to uphold the decision of the NEC of UTAG.

“Whatever the case, the academic calendar will have to roll,” said Dr. Bekoe.

Meanwhile, the Students Representative Council is in talks with stakeholders to ensure students do not suffer undue additional financial cost as a result of the strike.

“In our quest to ensure students are not billed extra hostel fees due to the 7 weeks lost to the UTAG strike, we are engaging relevant stakeholders and the VC has been very helpful in that regard,” said Michael Abuah.