KARACHI, Nov 19: The teachers at the D.J. Sindh Government Science College on Saturday decided to continue their strike to protest against the acts of hooliganism in colleges and humiliation of teachers by activists of a major student organization.
In the meantime, teaching in all the government colleges remained almost suspended on a call for strike given by the Sindh Professors and Lecturers’ Association (SPLA) on Friday.
SPLA had decided to observe strike, condemning the reported manhandling of teachers and abusive utterance of workers of a student body at the D.J. Science College.
Meetings were held at colleges to express solidarity with the teachers of the D.J. College on Saturday, while teachers completely boycotted the classes. Meetings called for an immediate arrest of students involved in causing insult to teachers and shattering the academic process on Friday, said a SPLA press release.
On Friday, two student groups clashed at least at two places, while activists of one group entered D.J. College and dismantled the laboratory and other property, in addition to inflicting humiliation to the teachers.
SPLA announced to give another line of action on Nov 22. In the meantime its leaders on an invitation called on the Sindh Home Minister Rauf Siddiqui and apprised him about its concern over the ugly incident.
The SPLA delegation demanded of the minister to take measures leading to the elimination of politically motivated elements from educational institutions and order action against law enforcing officials failing to check the hooligans.
The home minister assured the delegation of taking indiscriminate action against those involved in the unruly incident, said a SPLA press release.
In the meantime, the faculty members of D.J. College have decided to continue boycott the teaching process for the time being.
They also expressed concern over the indifferent attitude of the government officials, including that of Sindh education department and the city government and demanded for severe action against those involved in the incident.
The DJ teachers will again meet on Nov 21 on the issue of manhandling of teacher, while on the other hand a nine member committee, with Prof Arshad Jamal as convener, has also been formed.
