Thousands of students at University of Karachi are facing uncertainty as a teachers’ boycott of semester examinations entered its fourth week, disrupting academic schedules and raising concerns about further delays to the university calendar.
Read More: KU students develop eco-friendly solution for city’s waste crisis
The boycott, which began on May 5, was launched by faculty members over the alleged non-payment of dues related to evening classes, examination duties, paper checking, leave encashment and other financial claims. Teachers have maintained that the protest will continue until their demands are addressed and an inquiry is conducted into the university’s financial issues.
The prolonged suspension of examinations has affected nearly 50,000 students, many of whom fear losing semester breaks, facing compressed academic schedules and experiencing delays in graduation and future studies.
Students have expressed frustration over the situation, arguing that they continue to pay increasing tuition and examination fees while receiving limited services and support. Several students voiced concerns about the lack of communication regarding revised examination dates and the impact the disruption could have on the upcoming semester.
The crisis has also sparked criticism of the provincial government, with students questioning why authorities have not intervened to resolve the dispute at one of Pakistan’s largest public universities. Concerns have been raised on social media regarding the absence of a clear strategy to address the ongoing standoff.
Karachi University Teachers Society President Syed Ghufran Alam acknowledged that students were bearing the consequences of the dispute but argued that responsibility lay with the university administration. He said teachers had repeatedly attempted to resolve their concerns through dialogue and were left with no alternative but to continue their protest.
Read More: UNESCO official visits University of Karachi’s ICCBS
Alam assured students that adequate preparation time would be provided before examinations resume and said any revised schedule would be announced in advance. However, he noted that decisions regarding examinations and adjustments to the academic calendar ultimately rest with the university administration.
University officials have yet to announce a timeline for resolving the dispute and restarting examinations.