The president of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) of the Ghana School of Law, Philemon Laar, has resigned from his position on the orders of school authorities after failing one of his papers.
In a letter to Philemon Laar, management said he can no longer hold himself out as SRC head having failed his PLC Part 1 exams.
“This decision has been premised or based on the fact that Mr Philemon Laar was not successful at the recently held PLC Part 1 Exams and has to repeat Part 1. Consequently, he cannot hold himself out as president of the SRC. He is hereby advised to resign,” the letter signed by the registrar, Ghana School of Law, Juliet Adu-Adjei, said.
The SRC has since been directed to hold a bye election. “Until then management will not be in any position to deal or engage with the SRC with Mr Laar as president,” the letter ended.
Response
Philemon Laar has acknowledged receipt of the letter and resigned. However, he said he has been treated unfairly because he has requested for remark and waiting for the outcome.
“The decision to resign was occasioned by the apparent deadlock between the SRC and Management of the Ghana School of Law on whether or not an administrative fiat should be the basis to withdraw recognition for me as a democratically elected executive of the SRC.
“I was unsuccessful in the October 2020 PLC examinations. Like several other students displeased about their results, and convinced that the examination results did not reflect their industry and performance, I applied to have my scripts remarked. Results of the said remarking are yet to be released.
“Based on the above facts, management of the Ghana School of Law communicated their unwillingness to engage with the SRC if I remain President. They have also refused to release any funds to the SRC for the same reason.
“I disagree with this position by management because this singular action is an affront on the constitution of the SRC and represents undue interference in the affairs of students. The withdrawal of recognition of me as president and the accompanying actions prejudices the outcome of my application for remarking which in itself has delayed unduly contrary to the timelines provided in the students handbook.
“I was elected to serve, but I cannot in the circumstances, offer leadership that my constituents deserve. I owe my Executive Council a huge debt of gratitude. Constrained in many ways, we found strength from holding hands. I am confident that the remaining two months left of our tenure would receive great leadership. I have discussed and agreed with them, that upon my resignation, article 20(4) of the SRC Constitution shall be triggered; one of the Vice Presidents will be selected to replace me,” his letter said.
Laar became SRC president of the Ghana School of Law in June 2020. He was once SRC president of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
He has been involved in student activism and mentorship of student leaders across the country.