Govt power: University staff association rejects controversial act

Says govt is trying to wrest control; institutions will no longer remain autonomous

PESHAWAR: The Federation of the All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) on Monday rejected the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Universities (amendment) Act 2015 and demanded the government revise the bill passed on May 3.

In a news conference at Peshawar Press Club, FAPUASA’s Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa President Fazali Nasir said their recommendations for amendments to the act were ignored. “All university teachers rejected this bill; it was merely created for the benefit of a particular group.”

Nasir said the amendments eliminated the autonomous status of universities, thus opening the door to political interference. He added all universities in developed countries were autonomous and played a key role in bringing positive change. He accused the provincial government of failing to understand the value of developing the education sector.

Losing control

The president said a university senate is a key institute for making governing laws. “According to the original Universities Act 1974, university teachers and government representatives maintained equal numbers in the senate and all laws were made according to the needs of universities.” Criticising the amended act, Nasir said now only seven out of 29 members would be from universities, while the rest would be government representatives. Nasir added these numbers were unacceptable.

He explained according to the new amendment, the university senate can make an important decision with a simple majority. The president added that with its dominant number, the government can introduce regulations according to its own wishes.

“Even the previous government amended the Universities Act 1974 in 2010 without consulting real stakeholders.” As a result, Nasir said, the teachers association protested and compelled the government to consult with university faculties. “After the agitation, the government consulted the Peshawar Universities Teachers Association (PUTA). In 2011, the Universities Act 1974 was restored to its original form.”

Fazali Nasir, a PUTA representative, said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government wanted to bring reforms to universities according to its own wishes. He said teachers were not against reforms, but said they cannot accept changes that serve people’s vested interests.

All universities submitted their reservations to the Peshawar High Court against the amendments to the Universities Act 2015. They demanded the bill be withdrawn as it was not in favour of universities.

Since the necessary qualifications for university vice chancellors were also raised, Nasir said it was possible that very few people in the province would be eligible for these posts.

FAPUASA Central Vice President Iqbal Munir and other representatives were also present. They demanded that PTI Chairperson Imran Khan, K-P chief minister and the governor revise the bill and include their recommendations. They warned failure to do so would result in the association protesting in front of the National Assembly. 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 12^th, 2015.