Karachi University crisis deepens as teachers reject government mediation, continue exam boycott

Karachi: Karachi University has plunged deeper into turmoil after faculty members overwhelmingly rejected a government-backed proposal aimed at ending the ongoing examination boycott. This exposes growing dissatisfaction with the institution’s administration. It also shows dissatisfaction with its handling of employees’ financial grievances, as reported by Dawn.

The Karachi University Teachers’ Society (Kuts) decided during a general body meeting to continue its protest and maintain the boycott of semester examinations despite intervention by provincial authorities, Dawn has reported. The decision came after teachers expressed strong opposition to any agreement. They opposed any agreement that failed to guarantee the immediate payment of their long-pending dues at Karachi University.

The dispute escalated after the Sindh Higher Education Commission (SHEC) issued a notification following a June 1 meeting with representatives of Kuts, the Officers Welfare Association (OWA), and the Employees Welfare Association (EWA). The notification announced the formation of a six-member committee tasked with reviewing financial and administrative issues affecting university employees. This process aims to address long-standing issues at the University of Karachi.

The committee, headed by the SHEC chairperson and including senior government officials and employee representatives, has been directed to examine grievances, assess financial implications, consult stakeholders, and submit recommendations within 40 days. Furthermore, the notification also stated that employee representatives had agreed to withdraw the examination boycott immediately. This would allow the university to reschedule affected exams. Therefore, how Karachi University proceeds with these recommendations is crucial.

However, the teachers’ general body refused to endorse the arrangement. They argued that only the collective body that initiated the protest had the authority to end it. Kuts President Dr Syed Ghufran Alam said that while union representatives welcomed dialogue and conveyed optimism during discussions with SHEC, the broader teaching community remained unconvinced. This reflects broader unrest at Karachi University.

Faculty members reportedly blamed the university administration for creating an atmosphere of distrust and insisted that no compromise would be possible until outstanding payments are cleared, as highlighted by Dawn. This internal dissent stems from long-standing problems at Karachi University.

Employees opposed the university’s vice chancellor’s participation in negotiations. The protest centres on unpaid compensation for evening classes, examination duties, paper setting, copy checking, leave encashment, and other benefits. Supported by non-teaching staff, teachers have also demanded a thorough investigation into the university’s worsening financial crisis. In addition, they have vowed to continue their strike until their demands are met, as reported by Dawn. In summary, Karachi University employees are calling for real reform.

(ANI)

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