ISLAMABAD: The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) on Thursday continued a sit-in against the Higher Education Commission (HEC)'s policies for the second day.

Teacher leaders representing universities across the country participated in the sit-in.

The FAPUASA leadership announced that the sit-in would continue until the demands were met. A number of parliamentarians and civil society representatives including Senator Sirajul Haq and Senator Farhatullah Babar also participated in the sit-in and expressed solidarity with the teachers.

The speakers lamented that due to flawed policies and mismanagement at the HEC, not only the research and teaching process in the universities has been hampered but universities have become economically disadvantaged.

Due to severe financial crisis, universities are being forced to charge extra fees from students, making it impossible for students from the poor and middle classes to get an education.

The speakers said that they are fighting this war not only for the teachers but also for the future of the country and it will continue till the administration of HEC changes the anti-education, anti-teachers and anti-student policies.

Chairman HEC Dr Tariq Banuri talking to media stated that teachers are protesting outside the HEC and they tried to talk to them.

HEC has solved the problems of the Tenure Track System (TTS) faculty and the problems of BPS teachers will also be solved.

"I think they have political support as they are not ready to talk", said the chairman HEC, adding that they are threatening and this kind of behavior does not suit teachers. The HEC wants to provide the best education for students, said Banuri, adding that HEC does not interfere in the internal affairs of universities at all.

Universities have full autonomy, he added.

In reply to a question, he said that the government has cut the funds for higher education.

According to the situation in the country, the budget of every sector has been cut.

However, we have not allowed the reduction in the funds of the universities.

They do not interfere in the internal affairs of the universities at all.

We want the universities to resolve their issues within their own system. He said that students and parents should also come forward and demand that they need quality education.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020