PESHAWAR, Nov 12: The teachers of the Peshawar University will continue to observe a day-long strike on every Monday till the federal government pays heed to their suggestions in the proposed Model University Ordinance, 2002.

President Gen Pervez Musharraf issued many ordinances “to reconstruct and re-establish” some important institutions in the country, few months back. These ordinances have led to countrywide strikes by doctors, lawyers and teachers.

The Model University Ordinance, 2002, was issued to make the public-sector universities autonomous and introduce some reforms there. The ordinance in the present shape has been rejected by the teachers of the public-sector universities for one reason or the other.

“Reforms are needed and we are here to initiate a dialogue with the decision-makers on the issue. We are of the opinion that the ordinance, even in the amended form, is not complete because it doesn’t have rules and statues. We should be provided with the rules and statues along with the ordinance so that we are able to look at the service structure, social contract and other issues to make the present reform process constructive and meaningful,” the general secretary of the Peshawar University Teachers Association (Puta) and a professor of psychology, Prof Jehan Zeb, told Dawn.

When the ordinance was proposed, the teachers firmly opposed it, because the teachers were not consulted for the changes which were to be brought in the universities. The ordinance was sent to the universities for implementation without asking for their suggestions, and the teachers objected to it.

The qualifications of some officers, who will sit on the senate or the governing body, are not specified whereas it is very important for the educational institutions. The proposed senate also does not have sufficient representation of the teachers of the university.

The Puta members are demanding of the government to listen to their suggestions and consult them on the most basic changes because it involves their job security, quality of education and many issues which are related to them.

Puta suggests that the teachers representation should be increased on the senate from two to six and every seat from within the university should be filled in through elections and not through nomination. Qualifications should be clearly outlined for the vice-chancellor, senate members and governing body of the university. The powers of the vice-chancellor must be curtailed and teacher’s representatives should be provided with the statues.

Besides, the elected government should make statues as there is no need for the ordinance. The pretty hurry on the part of the government, even after the general elections, is showing its tilt towards the private sector. The changes are needed for improving the quality of the education. The university had already been working under the 1974 Act and there were many loopholes in it, therefore, instead of a new ordinance, the 1974 Act should be amended to reform the universities, Prof Zeb added.

“Teachers will not accept this ordinance without first being heard by the government. The Puta has so far been very reasonable regarding the reforms because we are not opposing those changes which are for the betterment,” he said.

He also pointed out that the federal education minister will be the pro-chancellor, the principal officers at a university and the appointments of the vice-chancellor and other subordinates will be under check by a political person. All the appointments and nominations will be under political influence. This will advance political shenanigans in the educational institutions.

The ordinance will destabilise the educational system which is already in poor condition. The teachers will continue to oppose the proposed ordinance till the government consults their elected bodies and suspends the ordinance in the present form.

The tussle between the government and university teachers has exposed the intentions of the private sector, trying to take key decisions on education. The private sector wants to convert the education into a thriving industry, but the teachers affiliated with the public sector institution are putting resistance to it.

The proposed ordinance is a step towards the privatisation of education and teachers community is not ready to become industrial workers as they would be under the new system.