FAPUASA extends strike in public varsities

KARACHI:

The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) Sindh Chapter has announced the continuation of its strike at Sindh's public universities on Monday and Tuesday, demanding the reversal of government decisions.

FAPUASA in a statement issued on Sunday said it will hold an online meeting on January 20 to discuss the ongoing matters and formulate a strategy for future action.

The association has appealed to teachers, students, political leaders, civil society members, and journalists to join them in this struggle. "This is not just a fight for the rights of teachers but a battle for the preservation of higher education in Sindh," said the FAPUASA Sindh General Secretary Abdul Rehman Nangraj.

The protest, which has led to the suspension of academic activities, will persist until the government's decisions are reconsidered.

FAPUASA Sindh has raised several demands, including the withdrawal of proposed amendments to the Universities Act regarding the appointment of vice chancellors. The association has also called for an end to the hiring of faculty members on contract.

The association also expressed concerns over the proposed amendments that attack university autonomy as the association warned that bureaucrats, lacking experience in teaching or research, would be unsuitable leaders for universities, leading to a decline in educational standards and research activities.

"These amendments will bring universities under bureaucratic control, which will adversely affect the quality of education and research," Nangraj said.

The issue of hiring teachers on contract also remains a primary concern. FAPUASA Sindh believes that hiring on a contract basis will destabilise the academic system.