KARACHI, Sept 1: Teaching activities remained suspended almost in all the educational institutions of the city due to strike observed on a call by opposition parties on Friday.

At the University of Karachi, examinations of BEd, BA, BSc (physiotherapy) and others for affiliated institutions’ students were held as per schedule on Friday.

Attendance was around 95 per cent and as such we think that there is no need to hold any second examination for the left over candidates, said a senior examination official.

However, teaching could not be held on the KU campus as students failed to turn up for the purpose due to the non-availability of transport and unpredictable law and order situation. The attendance of teaching and non-teaching staff was also thin during the day, said an employee adding that the varsity buses were also not plied on roads.

Teaching at the two campuses of the Dow University of Health Sciences, ie the Dow and Sindh medical colleges, remained suspended as teachers and students were not present in adequate numbers. The authorities refrained from bringing students buses on roads.

Teaching at the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology campuses also could not resume on Friday due to negligible number of students, teachers and other staff.

In the case of the NED University of Engineering and Technology, it was learnt that the administration had run the buses but 15-20 per cent of the students reached the campus on Friday. Teaching staff was almost present but classes could be held partially due to inadequate turn-up of students, said an official of the varsity.

Due to the non-availability of public transport and school buses, students in almost all the private schools failed to report for education, while teaching strength was also not up to mark in a majority of the schools.

Sensing an absence of transport and inconvenience to students and teachers a number of private schools had already announced a holiday for Friday, with the directives that the schools would be opened on Saturday.

The government-run educational institutions gave a deserted look on Friday due to the strike. Students and teachers did not turn-up for academic activities due to the absence of public transport. At some schools the students of nearby localities managed to report but were dismayed finding the school gates closed.

Attendance of employees at the educational boards and different offices of education under the city government also presented a deserted look due to poor attendance of staff concerned. Examination staff did come but staff pertaining to other sections failed to turn up due to strike, said an official at one of the education boards.