Some students of the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona campus, are livid that they have not had classes for a particular course since the semester started four weeks ago.

The course, Philosophy of Religion (PH30R), is compulsory for students who major in philosophy.

In a letter to the students last week Thursday, the head of the Department for Language, Linguistics and Philosophy, Professor Hubert Devonish, said teaching of the particular course did not begin as expected at the start of the semester.

Apology for delay

"We, as the entity within the university responsible for providing you with instruction in these courses, apologise for this and have made arrangements to make up for the classes missed," said Professor Devonish.

He explained that the department took steps last November to have a lecturer, currently residing in Nigeria, to teach the course.

Professor Devonish noted that there have been a series of delays related to the lecturer obtaining a work permit which meant that at the start of the semester, he had not yet been granted a work permit and had yet to go through the immigration procedures necessary for him to arrive in Jamaica.

He noted that based on assurances received from the university administration, the department indicated to students registered for these courses that the courses would begin in the third week of the semester.

"However, the lecturer's immigration procedures were not completed by that time. As a result, the department has proceeded to put in place emergency measures to deal with the problem," he said.

First sitting on Wednesday

Professor Devonish said the first sitting of the class would take place on Wednesday and arrangements were now being made for make, up classes during the mid-semester break, beginning February 25.

"We know that many of you have already made other plans for the week of the mid-semester break, and may not find it possible to attend classes during this week,'' said Professor Devonish.

He added, "We are committed as a department to making sure that no one is unreasonably inconvenienced."

He also noted that no student who is unable to make it for tutorials during the semester break would be penalised.

Meanwhile, a student who requested anonymity said it was unfair that students will have to pay for the department's tardiness.

'It is unfair that we have to come here during the semester break," the philosophy major told The Gleaner last Friday.

"Because of the delay, we are now under super pressure because I don't know when we are going to find the time to do all our essays plus do mid-semester examinations," said the final year student.

'We are committed as a department to making sure that no one is unreasonably inconvenienced,' said Professor Devonish.