Karachi University teachers refuse to budge, boycott enters second week

All the usually packed classes at the University of Karachi have been empty for over a week now. The hallways are abandoned and the departments give a lone view to onlookers.

Last week, teachers at the varsity announced to boycott both morning and evening classes against the “derogatory attitude” of secretary universities and boards.

Recently, in one of the board elections, a government official had declared the proceedings of the selection board null and void on grounds that the university administration had not taken prior approval for it.

The Karachi University Teachers Society, consequently, announced a strike demanding the selection board's elections be held and the government official be removed.

On Wednesday, Dr Shah Ali, president of the society, has warned that if their demands aren't met, teacher will boycott universities across Sindh. "Secretary Universities Board should be sacked and the letter sent regarding promotion rules should be withdrawn," he demanded.

The protesters have also expressed their concerns regarding the non-payment of salaries. They demanded that evening classes bills pending for over a year now be paid within 15 days.

Meanwhile, Sindh Universities Minister Muhammad Ismail Rahu has called the demonstrating teachers for negotiations. He has promised that all the legitimate problems of teachers will be solved.

Resolution passed by protesters

Earlier, the teachers passed a resolution after the incident. "It demands that the administration completes the scrutiny process of applications received in response to 2019 advert about the Institute of Environmental Studies and completes the selection board process in three months."

It added that the university immediately remove retired employees serving on administrative positions like directors/heads of various centres and institutes. The administrations should get illegally occupied houses in the Staff Town vacated.

Students suffer

Due to the boycott, students at the varsity have been suffering huge losses. Their classes have been suspended for over a week now.

Nauman Ali, a resident of Gilgit who has been studying at the university's social science department, told SAMAA TV that he hasn't attended a single classes since his mid-year exams.

"In other departments, exams, too, have been cancelled," the student pointed out. "In this entire teachers-management fiasco, it's us who are suffering the most."