Impacting studies: Vacations end, but Bacha Khan University remains closed

Teachers, assistants have refused to give classes in protest

PESHAWAR: The protests of teachers’ assistants have kept Bacha Khan University (BKU) closed even though the summer vacations have ended.

All the universities across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa reopened on September 1, but BKU remained closed as the teachers’ assistants have refused to give classes, because they have not been upgraded and made permanent employees as per their demands.

While talking to The Express Tribune, BKU Teachers Association President Professor Dr Shakeel Ahmad said the university administration had a non-serious attitude towards teachers, which is why the precious time of students was being wasted. He added at least seven meetings of the university syndicate were held in the last two months, but the issue of teachers remained unresolved.

Ahmad added the standing committee of National Assembly on education has approved a one-step upgradation policy regarding teachers’ assistants, but BKU has been delaying to implement the order.

He said classes at BKU were given by teachers’ assistants as there was a lack of professors at the varsity.

As per a notification issued by BKU Charsadda on August 31, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune, the entire teaching staff is required to attend their classes as per their timetable in order to complete the deficient courses of students. The notification also stated that if anyone is found disturbing the faculty members and students in their classes or creating a law and order situation shall be dealt strictly under the relevant law and they will be solemnly responsible in any case of any mishap.

However, on the other hand, the teachers’ assistants have blamed BKU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Fazalur Raheem Marwat and registrar for creating hurdles in their upgradation and fulfillment of genuine demands.

Fazalur Raheem could not be reached for comments on the issue.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2016.