PESHAWAR: The employees of the historic Islamia College-University have once again started protest camp against the government’s “failure” to increase their salaries and withdrawal of increase in admission fee.
The protest call was given by the Joint Action Committee of the institute. They are also informed that historic institution is facing numerous issues, including lack of electricity and teaching facilities, but the government is “not serious” in resolving the problems of the college.
The Islamia College Teachers Association (ICTA) representative told Mashriq Tv that the protest camp as the government has not yet implemented the decision to increase the staff salaries despite high inflation. He said that last year, a notification of 37% rise was issued but the government yet to implement it to provide relief to the staff.
The ICTA said that they are also demanding the establishment of girl section of the Islamia collegiate school. The ICTA representative alleged said that the education standard of the institution is on “constant decline” and this year over 100 students have cancelled their admissions due to lack of proper teaching facilities. The ICTA said, “The attractive forces of the university have become repulsive forces and students are no more interested in this historic institution.”
Teaching staff Association Secretary Information Shah Nawaz Khan said that the universities across the province are facing issues under the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government. Khan said that they have no personnel interest but they are fighting for the Islamia College which, he said, is losing its academic prestige. Khan said that they have got the information that the government is going to privatise this institution as a result, there will be more burden of high fees on the students.
Shah Nawaz Khan said that university is facing administrative as well as financial crisis of Rs450 million annually. He said that they Vice-chancellor have increased the admission and also increasing the number of students as results the collage is unable to maintain standard of quality education.
The protestors are also asking for the regularisation of ad hoc employees and withdrawal of increase in admission fee.