KARACHI: Rejecting reports that teachers have developed differences over the universities’ bill, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Karachi University (KU), a body representing KU teachers, non-teaching staff and student organisations, once again shared their concerns over the controversial bill and announced that they would observe black day on Thursday against the bill.

They also said that soon contacts would be made with all political parties and a multiparty conference would be organised against the bill.

They were speaking at a press conference held at the university’s staff club. A number of Karachi University Teachers’ Society (Kuts) members were conspicuous by their absence at the event organised under the banner of JAC.

“The government has been trying to destroy the autonomous structure of public-sector universities since 2013. This year, matters worsened to the extent that it brought another bill containing more damaging clauses and got it passed from the assembly, once again ignoring teachers’ reservations,” said Prof Shah Ali-ul-Qadr, the JAC convener and Kuts vice president.

‘The govt’s intention is to make universities subservient’

These amendments, he added, had turned statutory bodies of universities into rubber stamps.

Students’ representation?

To prove his point, he gave the example of a university syndicate, which, under the bill, would have 14 members nominated by the chief minister whereas the number of elected members had been reduced to only seven.

“Representation of elected teachers has been reduced from six to four. In addition, the clause regarding students’ representation on the syndicate has been removed.

“We believe that at a time when the Sindh Assembly has already passed a resolution to remove the ban on student unions, this act is like destroying the basic principles of democracy,” he said.

Teachers also demanded removal of the additional clause under which only those teachers and non-teaching staff would be elected from the senate to its syndicate that were not employees of the relevant university.

They also shared their concern regarding the admissions policy and the powers the chief minister had been given under the bill to remove the vice chancellor. Such decisions, they noted, must not be taken on the basis of one’s personal likes and dislikes and the government should follow proper rules and regulations.

Admission policies, it was said, were formed after much debate and discussion by teachers who took into account the changing academic requirements. Hence, the government must transfer powers of making this policy back to universities’ academic councils.

The teachers also asked why the government was legislating at a time when elections were near. This job, they said, should be left to the new government.

Replying to a question, Dr Riaz Ahmed, senior KU teacher, said that the University Act of 1972 definitely needed amendments given the fact that the number of teachers, students and employees had increased manifold over the decades. But not in the way the government was doing it.

“Unfortunately, the government intention is not to strengthen institutions, but to make universities subservient to the government.”

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2018