PESHAWAR: The protest camp of Peshawar University Teachers Association (PUTA) and administrative staff has entered fourth day, leaving students without classes and other facilities since 14 March.
The joint action committee of the University of Peshawar (UoP)-largest university of the province -announced complete “lock down” of the university on 14 March after KP government and UoP administration failed to address their concerns. The committee has said in a statement that the protest is against the “violation” of university act and other rules of the institution, “anti-workers policies” and “illegal” salary deductions.
Read more: UoP faculty to boycott classes from 14 March
Dr Zafar Khan, lecturer at Sociology department told Mashriq Tv that UoP teachers’ workload has been increased from 12 to 15 credit hours and number of students in each class has been increased from 50 to 100 which has placed more burdens on teachers. Dr Khan said that in such a situation students are also unable to get proper education and teachers’ attention despite paying hefty admission and other fees as a result standard of education at UoP in on decline. He added that medical and housing allowances have been reduced and the staff promotion and recruitment is stopped since 2018. Khan alleged that the vice-chancellor is not governing the university according to University Act.
Another protestor, Dr Amir Hamza Bangash, said that the protest camp was setup after several request letters to Governor of the province and university administration to resolve their issues but no one was showing interest. Bangash said that he has 15 years of experience with PhD from Sheffield University, England, but still working as lecturer as the University has stopped promotions and new recruitment since 2018.
Head of Gender of Student Department Dr Anoosh Khan said that in 2018 advertisement was issued for recruitment and promotion of existing faculty members. She said that process was completed but so far no faculty members have been promoted. She said that several of retired faculty members are also not being provided pension.
However, the VC has said that teachers should not waste students’ time as national assembly’s standing committee on higher education meeting would soon be held to discuss and resolve their issues. The VC has earlier said that the UoP employees have already secured 10% salary hike and efforts are also underway to address all their grievances.