KU Teachers Students Dragged out of Library
Row between KU teaching, non-teaching staff intensifies
Karachi:May 13, 2010:Teachers and students of the University of Karachi (KU) busy studying at the Dr Mahmud Hussain Library were pressurised on Wednesday to leave the library premises by some employees claiming to be the Collective Bargaining Agent (CBA) of KU.
The forced eviction from the library seemed to be part of a larger series of protests, which had started last week, against the alleged corruption of the director of Sheikh Zayed Islamic Centre (SZIC) and his injustice to the employees. The action, however, came as a blow to students studying in the library, as the semester examinations begin from today (Thursday).
Pro Vice-Chancellor Dr Shahana Urooj Kazmi had reservations over some demands of the employees, especially the appointment of one Pro Vice-Chancellor from the non-teaching staff. She referred to the University Code Book that clearly mentions the role of different cadres of employees.
She expressed surprise about the claim of the non-teaching staff that they numbered 3,000, while teachers were not more than 600. “It is strange that the non-teaching staff conveniently forgets that teachers are the main stakeholders of the university after the students. I am also surprised at the large number of non-teaching staff who are receiving their salaries but not performing well”.
A senior professor of the university, not wanting to be identified, told The News that it was a paradox that a large number of non-teaching staff was on the roll of the university, but functioning of the office was much to be desired. She especially mentioned the accounts section that fails to prepare cheques for the permanent and cooperative teachers for months. “The cooperative teachers in particular are badly affected by this delay”.
Secretary Karachi University Teachers Society (KUTS) Dr Fayyaz Vaid severely criticised the KU administration. “As a matter of fact it is seen that the corrupt are being rewarded with additional posts that carry various fringe benefits, while the hard and sincere people are cornered. “As a matter of fact it is seen that the corrupt are being rewarded with additional posts that carry various fringe benefits, while the hard and sincere people are cornered. Vice Chancellor (VC) (Prof Pirzada Qasim) is playing with people. He is trying to please all the people all the time. That is preposterous. How can non-teaching staff play havoc with the functioning of the university? It is a university not Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works. We are in the business of teaching”.
Dr Vaid disagreed with the policy of the VC who agrees to take action but never does. “There are rules and regulations. There is University Code Book, but it is seldom implemented”, he explained.
Ghulam Nabi Gabol, Vice President United Group of KU Employees disagreed with the pressure tactics of the other group citing the fact that they were not the CBA as their two-year term had expired on June 16, 2008 and there were no elections. Gabol agreed that there are problems with the non-teaching staff and the administration, but expressed his reverence for the teachers who, according to him, were one of the most important parts of the university.
In the meantime, many students expressed their apprehension that the semester examinations beginning from today (Thursday) might be disturbed by the protesting employees. The teachers and the administration are sure that the examinations will be conducted as planned.The News
