Despite govt intervention, Karachi University teachers refuse to end exam boycott

KARACHI: Despite intervention by the provincial authorities, strong opposition from teachers to signing any agreement that does not include a firm commitment to immediate financial relief compelled the Karachi University Teachers’ Society (Kuts) to continue its protest, including the boycott of semester examinations on the campus.

The unanimous decision was taken at the Kuts general body meeting held on Tuesday.

Sources said the meeting was held against the backdrop of a recently released notification from the Sindh Higher Education Commission (SHEC), following a meeting of the education commission’s head with the representatives of Kuts, Officers Welfare Association (OWA) and Employees Welfare Association (EWA) on June 1.

The notification said that a six-member committee, led by the chairperson of the SHEC and comprising the secretary of the universities and boards department, secretary of SHEC, president Kuts, presidents EWA and OWA, had been set up to look into the issues being faced by KU employees.

SHEC forms six-member body to look into issues being faced by varsity employees

The notification also said that the representatives of Kuts, EWA and OWA had decided “that the ongoing boycott of exams shall be withdrawn with immediate effect. The university administration shall make necessary arrangements for rescheduling the affected examinations and notify the revised examination schedule accordingly.”

The committees’ terms of reference included the responsibilities to examine the issues and grievances of the teaching and non-teaching staff, review the relevant rules, policies, financial implications and administrative matters pertaining to the issues under consideration and hold consultations with all stakeholders. “The committee will finalise its recommendations within 40 days,” the notification said.

However, at the Kuts general body meeting, the majority of the teachers rejected the notification and questioned the SHEC’s leadership on the matter.

Explaining Kuts’ position in the June 1 meeting and the notification, its president Dr Syed Ghufran Alam said that while they appreciated the steps taken by the SHEC and that the employees were always available for further dialogue, the decision for a boycott was made by the general body and that’s the only relevant forum to call it off.

“During the meeting, we did express optimism that the general body might consider the proposal. The general body, however, didn’t approve it due to the (negative) environment created by the KU administration,” he said, adding that teachers were unwilling to show any flexibility unless their dues were paid.

Sources also said that the employees’ frustration and resentment against the KU vice chancellor could be gauged from the fact that they didn’t agree with the SHEC’s proposal to let the KU vice chancellor participate in the June 1 meeting.

It might be recalled that the KU teachers have been boycotting the semester exams since May 5 over non-payment of their dues for evening classes, copy checking, exam supervision, paper setting, exam vigilance, house ceiling and leave encashment among other things. Now joined by the non-teaching staff, they have called for an investigation into the financial crisis at the campus and refused to end the strike until the fulfilment of their demands.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2026