Sindh varsities’ shutdown

Due to a teachers’ boycott of classes to protest the financial crisis plaguing Sindh's higher education institutions

The problems afflicting the country’s educational system took another ominous turn last week. Academic activities at all public sector universities in Sindh were suspended for a day due to a teachers’ boycott of classes to protest the financial crisis plaguing the province’s higher education institutions. The boycott call, given by the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) Sindh chapter, was based on teachers’ claims that they had not been paid the 15% increases in staff salaries and the Centre-run Higher Education Commission (HEC) had slashed funding to the universities by 10 per cent each. FAPUASA has also alleged victimization of faculty members, unjustified dismissals, suppression of their right to freedom of speech, and harassment, and has warned of further action.

Ironically, however, Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood has categorically denied any cuts in the budgetary allocation for the HEC. In fact, he has claimed that the government was attempting to enhance funding for research and other HEC projects. The federal government has also repeatedly claimed that there will be no cuts in higher education spending. It is imperative, therefore, that FAPUASA meet with the Education Minister to iron out the misunderstanding regarding HEC spending. The government’s stance on the education issue is clear. So there is every prospect that the teachers’ financial grievances would be resolved.

As for the other complaints of the faculty association, it is essential that a “Charter of Rights” be formulated to protect the personal and intellectual rights of all faculty members. In addition, a “Code of Conduct” is also necessary to monitor behaviour towards teachers. Such measures safeguard faculty members’ rights in many countries around the world and must be strictly implemented by all university administrations in our country as well.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 23^rd, 2019.

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