Teachers boycott classes in SALU, other universities
World Teachers Day is teacher-less as educators across Sindh boycott duties to protest cuts in HEC funds.
SUKKUR:
World Teachers Day was conspicuously teacher-less as educators across Sindh boycotted duties on Tuesday to protest the cuts in the Higher Education Commission (HEC) funds.
The government decided to slash the education budget to divert some funds towards flood relief but the decision was met with resentment by the academic staff.
According to Dr Taj Lashari, the media coordinator of SALU, the government had promised to release funds on October 1 but the date has passed. Finally, on Monday the government handed the Rs1.1 billion that had been announced in the budget 2010-2011. This money is to increase salaries of teachers by 50 per cent. But the government has yet to release Rs15 billion, which is required for development, research and scholarships, he said.
The university also requires a huge development fund to continue its ongoing projects including construction and renovations of the administration block, students services, economics, commerce and public administration blocks and two 50-room hostels for male and female students. Work on both the hostels is almost 90 per cent complete and the rest of it will be carried out as soon as they get the money, said Dr Lashari.
Archaeology department open for admissions
According to Dr Lashari, the department of archeology has announced admissions in a certificate course on conservation of cultural heritage of Sindh archaeology for the academic year 2010-11 in its evening programme. The admissions were opened on the directives of SALU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Nilofer Shaikh. Fifteen seats are reserved and Rs5,000 will be provided as incentive to students to opt for the certificate. The duration of the course is six months. Forms can be obtained from the Directorate of Admissions up to October 20. Students who have done their Masters in archaeology, zoology, botany and chemistry and fulfill the minimum 50 per cent eligibility criteria can apply for the seats. Classes will start from November 2, 2010.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 6th, 2010.
World Teachers Day was conspicuously teacher-less as educators across Sindh boycotted duties on Tuesday to protest the cuts in the Higher Education Commission (HEC) funds.
The government decided to slash the education budget to divert some funds towards flood relief but the decision was met with resentment by the academic staff.
According to Dr Taj Lashari, the media coordinator of SALU, the government had promised to release funds on October 1 but the date has passed. Finally, on Monday the government handed the Rs1.1 billion that had been announced in the budget 2010-2011. This money is to increase salaries of teachers by 50 per cent. But the government has yet to release Rs15 billion, which is required for development, research and scholarships, he said.
The university also requires a huge development fund to continue its ongoing projects including construction and renovations of the administration block, students services, economics, commerce and public administration blocks and two 50-room hostels for male and female students. Work on both the hostels is almost 90 per cent complete and the rest of it will be carried out as soon as they get the money, said Dr Lashari.
Archaeology department open for admissions
According to Dr Lashari, the department of archeology has announced admissions in a certificate course on conservation of cultural heritage of Sindh archaeology for the academic year 2010-11 in its evening programme. The admissions were opened on the directives of SALU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Nilofer Shaikh. Fifteen seats are reserved and Rs5,000 will be provided as incentive to students to opt for the certificate. The duration of the course is six months. Forms can be obtained from the Directorate of Admissions up to October 20. Students who have done their Masters in archaeology, zoology, botany and chemistry and fulfill the minimum 50 per cent eligibility criteria can apply for the seats. Classes will start from November 2, 2010.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 6th, 2010.