K-P governor takes notice of students protesting against harassment in varsity

Protesters demand protection for female students of Islamia College

PESHAWAR:

The governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday took notice of a student protest in the province's Islamia College University over harassment in the varsity. 

Governor Shah Farman directed the inspection team to conduct a transparent inquiry and submit a report on the issue in three days. 

“Incidents of harassment in educational institutions cannot be tolerated,” Governor Farman said. “Strict action will be taken against those involved.” He further said that female students in the province will be provided full protection in higher education institutions. 

He stressed that "no compromise could be made on the dignity of our daughters".

The students of the varsity have been protesting in front of the vice-chancellor's office against incidents of harassment in the institution. The students, chanting slogans against the institution's administration and teachers, said teachers harass female students while grading exam and research papers. 

“No protection is being given to female students by the administration in the college,” the protesting students said and demanded protection for female students studying in the university.

Earlier this year in March, it was reported that the Ombudsperson had received at least 50 complaints of harassement from the province's educational institutions. 

“So far, we have received 70 complaints. Out of that 50 are from academic institutions,” said K-P's Ombudsperson Rukhshanda Naz in March. 

In March it was reported that the higher education institutions in K-P had a brand new battle on their hands. Already mired in controversy, it turned out that cases of harassment were now adding to their long list of troubles.

“So far, we have received 70 complaints. Out of that 50 are from academic institutions,” claimed K-P Ombudsperson Rukhshanda Naz.

Female students, Naz had said, had no idea how and where to file complaints. She had added that an awareness campaign is needed to inform female students about the process of filing complaints.

To address the issue, that appears to be haunting universities in the province, the ombudsperson had urged universities and departments to form committees to investigate such cases.