Britain: Lecturers refuse to evaluate answer sheets, graduate degrees of students stuck

A labor dispute in the UK has led to lecturers refusing to evaluate answer sheets for examinations, leaving thousands of students unable to graduate. Hafsa Yusuf was about to graduate last week. Youssef, an English literature student, spent £200 arranging a ‘graduation gown’ as well as arranging photography and tickets for her family to attend the ceremony. But just two weeks before the ceremony, Queen Mary University of London sent her an e-mail saying she would not be able to graduate yet because of a strike by academic staff in the UK. Lecturers of around 140 universities have refused to evaluate answer sheets and take part in teaching activities amid a dispute over pay and working conditions. Yousuf said, “Because of the boycott of the evaluation process, I have not been able to graduate. We all paid all the fees on time, just got an e-mail two weeks ago that you can’t come to the function.

Youssef said most of their families live in the UK, but many students are from other countries and have paid for tickets to travel to their families from abroad. It is very disappointing.” Yousuf and the students of the 2023 session have already faced serious disruptions in their college. He had enrolled in the university during the lockdown due to COVID-19. This was followed by strikes by university staff, part of a series of protests by thousands of UK workers demanding better pay amid a living crisis. From Cambridge to Edinburgh, thousands of students are missing out on graduation or facing an indefinite delay in getting their final marks due to labor disputes. The protests began in April and show no sign of resolution. It is not clear how many students have been affected, but the University and Colleges Association, which represents academics and lecturers, has estimated that thousands of students will not be able to graduate this time as the disruption is likely to stretch into the next academic year.

The uncertainties are also worrying international students, who face additional complications and increased costs of living in the UK. Students hoping to stay in the country in search of work can apply for a graduate visa only after receiving their degree. University and college associations have accused the college management of hanging the future of the students in balance. They argue that the universities have enough additional income to increase staff salaries by 10 percent, but they are denying any increase in staff salaries. The Universities and Colleges Employers’ Association, which is representing the colleges in talks with the unions, says there will be no pay rise from 2023 to 2024, but insists it is open to talks on other issues such as workload and contracts. Some students are considering legal action against universities for breach of contract. “We pay hundreds and thousands of pounds,” Youssef said. International students fees are skyrocketing. We look forward to graduation. We hope to get our grades in on time.

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