Karachi University teachers continue exam boycott despite Sindh intervention

KARACHI: Karachi University teachers have decided to continue their protest and boycott of semester examinations despite intervention by provincial authorities, after a general body meeting of the Karachi University Teachers’ Society (Kuts) rejected a proposal that did not include an immediate commitment on financial relief.

The unanimous decision was taken at a Kuts general body meeting held on Tuesday. The meeting took place after the Sindh Higher Education Commission (SHEC) issued a notification following a June 1 meeting between its chairperson and representatives of Kuts, the Officers Welfare Association (OWA) and the Employees Welfare Association (EWA).

According to the notification, a six-member committee has been formed to examine the issues faced by Karachi University employees. The body is to be headed by the SHEC chairperson and include the secretary of the universities and boards department, the secretary of SHEC, and the presidents of Kuts, EWA and OWA.

The notification also stated that representatives of Kuts, EWA and OWA had decided that the ongoing exam boycott would be withdrawn immediately, and that the university administration would make arrangements to reschedule the affected examinations and issue a revised schedule.

Teachers reject notification

At the general body meeting, however, most teachers rejected the notification and also questioned the role of the SHEC leadership in the matter.

Explaining the society’s position regarding the June 1 meeting and the subsequent notification, Kuts president Dr Syed Ghufran Alam said the teachers welcomed the steps taken by SHEC and remained available for further dialogue, but maintained that only the general body had the authority to withdraw the boycott.

"During the meeting, we did express optimism that the general body might consider the proposal. The general body, however, didn’t approve it due to the (negative) environment created by the KU administration," he said.

Dr Alam added that teachers were not prepared to show flexibility unless their outstanding dues were cleared.

Sources told Dawn that resentment among employees toward the university’s vice chancellor was also evident, and they did not agree with a SHEC proposal to allow the vice chancellor to take part in the June 1 meeting.

Committee given 40 days

The committee’s terms of reference include examining the grievances of teaching and non-teaching staff, reviewing relevant rules, policies, financial implications and administrative issues, and consulting all stakeholders. The notification said the committee would finalise its recommendations within 40 days.

Karachi University teachers have been boycotting semester examinations since May 5 over unpaid dues linked to evening classes, copy checking, exam supervision, paper setting, exam vigilance, house ceiling and leave encashment, among other matters.

They have now been joined by non-teaching staff. The protesting employees are also demanding an investigation into the financial crisis at the university and have refused to end the strike until their demands are met.