ARTICLE: THE MID-SEMESTER BREAK ACT (MSB ACT) by the SRC Parliamentary Council.

Richard Amoh, KNUST SRC PRO 

A Close Look;

The KNUST SRC, its government’s (leadership) governance, is structured strategically to reflect real democratic governance; one of representation, one that frees for query, one that permits for channeling of grievances for address and redress, one that facilitates adherence to the voice of the voiceless (who paradoxically are the repositories of the thunderous voice), one that gives grounds for seeking accountability, transparency and responsibility of leadership in all spheres.
Structured into the legislative, judiciary and executive arms, with clearly stipulated duties and modus operandi. The media is one pillar.
The representative nature of the leadership is one that does or should necessitate decision making that are reflective of the interests of the represented, ceteris peribus (all things being equal), in a liberal, fair and free dispensation.
The nature is also not one that disposes decisions after being made and closes its door of returning feedbacks. It appreciates, it should, and accords reverence to the response of the masses, I call them (us, all) the deciders, representatively.

Let’s retrospect briefly in a flashback, the background of  the introduction of the mid-semester break, uprisings on it, rejuvenation of it and where we are today (not so a history though ).
Then, we pass commentaries.

The Mid-Semester Break did not exist some four or five years ago, but now existing, per the Act of Parliament passed by the SRC Parliamentary Council.
The decision for the introduction and implementation of the Mid-Semester Break became a known phenomenon for public consumption during the 2017/2018 SRC administration, under the leadership of master David Dannah as SRC President, David Dari as Speaker of Parliament and Suuk as the Judicial Chairperson then. I remember some known faces who were members of the then parliament. When this came into being, implementation, for the first year, it received mixed reactions from students.

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The BREAK was sort of enjoyed in pain or suffered in happiness within the prevailing ecosystem, juxtaposing it with the reactions towards it during the leadership of the 2018/2019 SRC administration, under the leadership of master Kelvin Uriel Sah as SRC President, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kissi Sasu and Pinamang as the Judicial Chairperson then. I still remember faces, some still around, who were members of parliament then. ‘They’ vehemently stood against the said decision and sought for it to be thrown into a bottomless pit.

The most visible affirmation of their (2018/2019 SRC, especially its parliament) disagreement was evident when it was listed as part of the demands for the demonstration then.

Then, most students, activists, writers and concerned students were caught in the web of dilemma.
Student leaders, who represented us, made students aware that the decision lacked their consent and consultation. University, through the Dean then, Prof. William Garibah, also argued they consulted student leaders. Students had to more of believe the position of the leaders.

Known reasons then, were;
1. Students having enough time to rest from academic works after their mid-semester examinations.
2. Disruption of academics, when all halls (colleges too) have six, in some cases less, different weeks for the celebrations while academic works are in session.
3. Student leaders could also have enough time to organize their programs and activities well.
4. Student entrepreneurs could have enough time to take advantage of the opportunities during the celebrations to exhibit and sell their products and talents too.
5. On another side, lecturers could also have some time to mark scripts et al and other reasons.

Today in Break!
The Mid-Semester Break Act (MSB ACT), by the SRC Parliamentary Council, led by Rt. Hon. Asamoah Agyemang Hunvilla.

“The break is not just a break to go home. It’s a multi-faceted descriptive break.
For celebration of all college weeks within one week, after writing mid-semester examination in first semester.
Also, for the celebration of all hall weeks within one week, after writing mid-semester examinations in the second semester. It is worthy of note that, per the decision of the SRC Parliamentary Council, the ‘one’ week begins on the Saturday after the mid-semester examination, making the days nine (9) instead of the seven (7) days.”

This decision made (choice of break and celebrating all college weeks in one week in first semester and hall weeks in one week in second semester after mid-semester examinations over the no break, but celebrating college and hall weeks as was done previously) wasn’t forced on the current parliamentarians. The only thing that can be argued would have to do with, maybe or if very needed could have been sought for is, limited choice or options. Individual parliamentarians could argue that they had personal reservations about the issue, which for the purpose of collective responsibility is not usually advised, and it’s understandable. Even that, the leader of the house states it’s unanimous.

Triggers of the reconsideration of the previous decision which the demonstration demonstrated students didn’t like at that time were;
1. The university, from the Dean of Students’ office, trying to make sure if such a decision would even be made, then it should emanate/ be decided from/ by the students themselves, the parliamentary representatives or broader if necessary. So that we wouldn’t have a situation where the debate would be around university management making forced decisions for students, but students making the decision for themselves in this light.
2. Received reports and petitions to the office of the Dean of Students for a reconsideration of the decision. This is from the petitioners during demonstration and students in the course of the semester. In the midst of this, then it was necessary for the Dean’s office (the university) to direct all the grievances for students’ Parliamentary consideration and decision, as they did. The initial decision was alleged (amidst denial and claim) to have come from the then parliament during the administration of the 2017/2018 SRC.
3. The Parliamentary Council, through the speaker and the SRC at large, also could affirm it has/ had been receiving similar complaints. There arose the need for all of such to be collated and sent to the wise desk of the SRC Parliamentary Council for a representative decision, reflective of the aspirations, demands and directions of the people, congenial to remedy the situation.

Steps by the SRC Parliamentary Council;

The Parliamentary Council, by the Rt. Hon. Asamoah Agyemang Hunvilla, asserts that, it took the necessary Parliamentary procedural steps before passing the said Act. The house, as asserted by the speaker, tasked its members to find out from the constituents what they also think about the case and what their possible choice could be, through surveys and others. Caucus heads for the three caucuses (Hall caucus, College Caucus and Non-residential caucus) were also consulted to give the inputs from their various caucuses too and that was in a firm affirmation of the existing choice of the house now. It’s part of what informed their decision.
The house then after its deliberations passed the decision (the bill) into an Act of Parliament, which they contend is a representative of the students.

Now, What Next?
A decision has been made by the SRC Parliamentary Council. A wise house of course. But, not impeccable, I must admit.
I know some students have reservations and questions to ask, that’s very true. I’ve had a close observation and I’m feeding on the feedbacks hungrily. I know the parliamentarians, the speaker and other executives of the SRC are closely taking the feedbacks of the people. Let’s all be concerned and channel our takes, advice, recommendations and others to the office of the Speaker of Parliament or the Help Desk of the SRC, the Public Relations Officers of the SRC, especially in writing and let’s see the progress of that too. Resort to civil resistance in challenging any supposed irregularity is also available.

Laws are made, laws are sustained.
Laws are made, laws are loved.
Laws are made, laws are amended.
Laws are made, laws are suspended.
Laws are made, laws are withdrawn.

The SRC, the SRC Parliamentary Council, the University and its management are there because we have students.
Let’s all remain calm and purposefully focused on expressing our views on issues and matters that matter to us, especially devoid of unbridled emotions and sentiments.
If you target to shoot a bird with shouts of your interest in its death, you may lose the bird and your bullet too. Same way, we can’t paint a house neatly by splashing the paints all over.
Let’s, in demanding situations, ask questions decorously and demand response. And I know, leadership would, should and must respond to such calls.
Feel free to share with me what you think!

Courtesy to,
Richard Amoh,
SRC Public Relations Officer,
0540693143/ 0501592577
amohrichard64@gmail.com