University teachers call off boycott, classes resume today

Say protest continues against 'bureaucrats as VCs'

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HYDERABAD:

The teachers of public sector universities in Sindh have decided to call off their boycott of classes from February 6, but their protest against the provincial government's controversial reforms regarding the appointment of vice chancellors will continue.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Abdul Rehman Nangraj, General Secretary of the Sindh chapter of the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA), announced a shift in their protest strategy.

"We acknowledge that the prolonged boycott has disrupted students' education, and we deeply regret the academic setbacks they have faced," he said, emphasising that despite their efforts, the government has remained indifferent to their concerns.

While classes will resume, teachers will persist in their demonstration by wearing black armbands and raising awareness among students about the negative repercussions of the newly enacted legislation. The amendment, they argue, allows bureaucrats — who lack academic and research experience — to assume the role of vice chancellors, imperiling the autonomy of universities.

The teachers have resolved to boycott visits from ministers, MPAs, and bureaucrats to their campuses. They also plan to engage with national and international academic institutions to mount pressure on the provincial government to reconsider the legislation. Nangraj revealed that legal action against the amendment is also under consideration.

The protesting faculty contends that appointing bureaucrats as university heads will not only undermine academic freedom and excellence but also expose universities to increased political interference. "This legal move seems to be part of a broader strategy to suppress critical thinking and dissent within academic institutions," Nangraj asserted. He further stated that university autonomy is globally recognised as a key factor in academic progress and innovation.

The Sindh Assembly passed the Sindh Universities and Institutes Law (Amendment) Act, 2025, on February 1, despite strong opposition from academic circles, including the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. In response, university teachers promptly launched their protest, initially boycotting classes to voice their dissent.

Although they have now resumed academic activities, their resistance against the law remains unwavering, signaling an ongoing struggle for the independence of higher education institutions in the province.