"In the past we didn’t protest against KU’s policy. But why should we raise our voice in its favour?" Dr Arshad Memon, general-secretary of the MUET teachers association. PHOTO: ONLINE/FILE
HYDERABAD:
The new Sindh Universities Law (Amendment) Bill, 2013, appears likely to wage a split between academicians in the government universities in Karachi and their counterparts in rest of Sindh - the point of contention between the two sides was and remains the admissions policy.
The first reflection of this divide manifested at the general body meeting of the Karachi University’s teachers. More of the same will presumably ensue as the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA), Sindh chapter, convenes its meeting on August 29 in Karachi.
The law sent ripples of anxiety as the universities fear curtailment of autonomy and greater politicisation.
“We support the objections raised by the KU teachers against the bill but we have diverging views on the enrollment policy,” said Dr Arfana Mallah, president of the Sindh University Teachers Association. In her opinion, there should be a more uniform admission policy which provides equal opportunity to all the domicile holders of the 27 districts in the province.
Under the 1972 Sindh Universities Act, the academic councils were empowered to formulate the admission policy. The new law, however, hands over this authority to the provincial government.
“Like the KU teachers, we object to the appointment powers over the administrative officers which have been given to the chief minister. But as far as the admissions are concerned, there shouldn’t be any discrimination for the students belonging to any part of the province,” said Sindh Agriculture University President Dr Liaquat Jamali.
At the heart of the controversy is the KU’s admission policy based on the KSP formula - Karachi, Sindh and Pakistan - which gives preference to students who have completed their matriculation and intermediate education from the institutions in Karachi. Students from the rest of Sindh are given admission on two criteria - on the seats which are not filled by Karachi students and on 30 reserved seats, but only for the courses not taught in the public sector universities outside Karachi.
“This is a biased policy which denies the right of higher education to the people of Sindh,” said Jami Chandio, who heads the Center for Peace and Civil Society. According to him, in a recent meeting with the Sindh Education Minister Nisar Khuhro, he suggested that the government should ask the universities to end discrimination in their admission system. But if they do not comply, he added, the Sindh Assembly should legislate a law to ensure no resident of Sindh was treated differently.
“In the past we didn’t protest against KU’s policy. But why should we raise our voice in it’s favour?” remarked Dr Arshad Memon, general-secretary of the teachers association of Mehran Universities of Engineering and Technology (MUET).
FAPUASA Sindh President Dr Asad Abidi hoped that the chief minister would be able to play a greater role in helping the universities with their finances.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 25th, 2013.
COMMENTS (2)
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ET plz publish
May the gentleman concern would consider the Quotta system which is imposed on Urban Sindh no in the province but All over Pakistan (Amazing no other Province have it) equally biased and discriminatory????? (the architect was Good old champion of democracy Mr. Bhutto.....aka modern wadera mentality)
No needs to unless you are working for someone's interest but not in the interest of education.
Sindh is the worst province from all the thee Provinces (it exceed from Balochistan as well cuz parts of Balochistan is manager by federal govt which have system of uniformity), Sindh Public Service Commission is a prime example of this, incomplete, incompetent and deliberately fractured to serve the interest of political few.
Now, if anybody have any problem with KU or any University admission policy then put the universities back to federal domain then, like back in 1960, he who scores the most get the most. right.
Instead banging the head against Universities why not provincial govt increase funding for Higher Education and raise more universities in every Division of the province??? after all they do yap about 18th amendment 18th amendment all the time.
Now the teachers / academia / union & bodies will regret their decision when they resist Musharaf policy by dancing on the political tune that we don't want dictators policy.
Now shove the "democratic policy" in your face..........pathetic, shortsighted & gullible unions.
I want Higher Education to be solely the domain of federal govt, the province must manage the tertiary till Higher Secondary (intermediate), any thing above should be federal subject so that Planning commission which direction we lead a country to and what educational workforce we require.
regards,