KU teachers’ boycott of exams over unpaid dues completes one month

The dispute between the administration and teachers over unpaid dues at Karachi University (KU) has crossed the four-week mark. The teachers’ boycott of semester examinations over unpaid dues has disrupted the academic plans of more than 50,000 students.

According to the spokesperson for the Karachi University Teachers’ Association, the teaching process at one of the largest universities of the country has been suspended for a month, and final examinations have been postponed, but the authorities are not listening.

The teachers initiated this boycott on May 5, demanding payment of dues, including compensation for evening classes, copy checking, examination supervision, house ceiling, and leave encashment, among other things. They have also demanded an investigation into the financial crisis faced by the university.

According to sources, students of KU are anxious about their future, as the current situation could lead to the loss of the semester break, shortened future semesters, and delays in the pre-planned academic calendar.

Many students and their families are criticising the silence and lack of intervention by Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah and government authorities that oversee public universities across the province. The spokesperson for the Teachers’ Association told the media that letters from KU Vice Chancellor Dr Khalid Iraqi to the Sindh government regarding the resolution of these issues have not yet received a response.

Students are demanding swift action from the administration so that they can continue their academic year without further delays.