KARACHI, Jan 19: College teachers have suggested that no code of conduct should be developed and implemented at educational institutions without involving the teachers' community.

Referring to the code of conduct signed recently by two student groups, some academicians expressed their views that there should be complete ban on political activities at the educational institutes.

The copy of draft code of conduct was signed by leaders of Islami Jamiat Talaba and All Pakistan Mohajir Students Organization at a meeting of the provincial home department last week. The two student factions have been involved in hostilities against each other for the last two weeks in the University of Karachi as well as some colleges in the city.

In the meantime, the adviser to the chief minister on home affairs and coordination has convened a high level meeting on Jan 20 to address the deteriorating law and order situation and finalize a code of conduct applicable in the case of educational institutions, particularly universities, said sources in the provincial government.

Among others, Sindh Education Minister, Additional Chief Secretary (home department), Secretary Education, DG Rangers, IGP, City Nazim, DCO Karachi, EDO (Education) Karachi, Representative of Karachi University's VC, and Capital City Police Officer would attend today's meeting. Representatives of Sindh Professors and Lecturers' Association, IJT, APMSO and Peoples Students Federation may also be invited to attend the meeting, added a source.

The law and order situation had remarkably deteriorated in the recent days at educational institutions and killing of an IJT activist in a firing incident at Government College of Commerce and Economics on Jan 17 could be taken as an eye opener by the Sindh government as well as promoters and patrons of the different student organizations in the city, said a senior teacher.

Though a higher court decision has left very little room for any recognized role of students organizations, it is viewed that the APMSO, the IJT, the Peoples Students Federation and the Pakhtoon Students Federation have been continuing to operate at educational institutions on one or the other pretext.

Affidavits are received from the university students that they would not indulge in political activities inside the campus, but, the groups more than often feel pride in maintaining their ethnic, religious and political affiliations.

The code of conduct draft recognizes the existence of the IJT and the APMSO while demanding them to restrain themselves from hoisting their flags at the educational institutes, wall- chalking, display of banners or use of force against each other. The draft states that a sub-committee comprising representatives of students organizations would also be formed at colleges, which would be responsible for maintaining the academic environment.

Under the agreement, the IJT and the APMSO would not bring any outsider at their respective educational institutions and show restraints against each other.

However, a majority of teachers are opposed to the draft, as they feel that they had not been taken into confidence. "We have to face all sorts of hostilities by students organizations and as such the over all responsibilities in regard to maintenance of academic discipline and system of admissions and examination at colleges should lie with the teachers headed by their respective principals," said a college teacher.

He said that none of the colleges had been provided with the "code of conduct" agreed upon last week by students leaders as well as government officials.

Meanwhile, the President and Secretary of College Principals Association, Prof S.K. Lodhi and Prof Anis Zaidi, have expressed concern over the clashes among students organizations in various city colleges. The mounting tension among the students groups would certainly hamper the peaceful academic atmosphere of the colleges, therefore, it is proposed that a code of conduct be announced for colleges and that must also be implemented immediately, they added.

The principals' representatives said that the monitoring by police, deployment of Rangers and other law enforcing agencies be ensured at educational institutions, otherwise, the life of the innocent students and teachers would be insecure.