19 September 2026

The Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Sir Ronald Sanders, has acknowledged the serious and prolonged delay in the release of grades for Criminal Law I and Criminal Law II for the 2024/2025 academic year.

The Chancellor declared that “the delay is completely unacceptable” and, on behalf of the University, he offered a deep apology to the students concerned. Sir Ronald said he recognises the considerable anxiety and uncertainty caused to the affected students, particularly those preparing applications to regional law schools or requiring complete academic records for other academic and professional purposes.  

He said that the matter was brought to his attention by the President of the University of Guyana Students’ Society on 17 September 2026. He responded promptly, referring the complaint immediately to the Chairman of the Transitional Management Team, Professor Stafford Griffith, and requesting that the allegations be investigated, the facts established and all necessary corrective action taken.

When Chancellor Sanders was subsequently informed that the matter had been only partially addressed by the deadline of 18 September 2026, he issued further directions. He directed that the affected students be informed of the status of their grades and the steps being taken; that urgent arrangements be made to ensure that no student suffers academic, professional or other disadvantage because of the University’s delay; and that the circumstances which allowed the grades to remain outstanding for such an extended period be formally examined and appropriate corrective action taken.

It was with alarm that he learned that, although some action was taken by 18 September, the matter had not been fully resolved and not all affected students had received their outstanding grades.

Chancellor Sanders has made it clear that the Registrar and the Examinations Division must communicate candidly with the affected students and must not confuse the marking of scripts or the submission of marksheets with the official release of approved grades.

Through Professor Griffith, the Chancellor has instructed the Registrar to identify all affected students, including those facing imminent application or admission deadlines. Where necessary, the University will provide certified explanatory letters, interim academic documentation or direct confirmation to the Council of Legal Education and relevant law schools. The University will also consider, through the appropriate academic authorities, any exceptional measures required to ensure that students are not prejudiced by circumstances for which they bear no responsibility.

Chancellor Sanders has also required an administrative review to establish why the grades were not processed and released within the required period, why earlier assurances were not fulfilled, and what changes are necessary to prevent a recurrence. As part of that review, the Registrar will be required to determine whether similarly outstanding grades exist elsewhere in the University and to report the findings to the Transitional Management Team and the University Council.

Sir Ronald stated that the University’s immediate responsibility is to complete the outstanding academic processes, protect the affected students and provide them with accurate information. It must also establish accountability for this failure and strengthen the systems governing the submission, approval and release of examination results.

ENDS