Nearly 50,000 students at Karachi University (KU) are facing uncertainty as the teachers’ boycott of semester examinations enters its fourth consecutive week, disrupting the academic calendar and delaying exams indefinitely.
The boycott, which began on May 5, continues over the non-payment of teachers’ dues related to evening classes, paper setting, exam supervision, marking, vigilance, house ceiling, and leave encashment.
Teachers have also demanded an investigation into the university’s financial management and have refused to end their protest until their concerns are addressed.
As a result, semester examinations remain suspended, leaving students anxious about possible delays in results, shortened semesters, and the loss of scheduled breaks.
Many students say the uncertainty has severely affected their academic planning and mental well-being.
Students from various departments expressed frustration over the prolonged disruption, stating that repeated disputes between university administration and faculty continue to harm their education.
Some said they had prepared extensively for exams only to face sudden cancellations, while others warned that rescheduling during semester breaks would further increase academic pressure.
Several students also criticised the lack of intervention from provincial authorities, including the Sindh chief minister, who oversees public universities in the province.
They questioned why no decisive steps have been taken to resolve the escalating crisis at the country’s largest university.
The Karachi University Teachers Society (KUTS) defended the boycott, stating that faculty members were left with no option due to administrative failure to resolve long-standing financial issues.
KUTS President Syed Ghufran Alam said students were suffering, but he blamed university management for the ongoing deadlock.
He added that teachers had repeatedly raised concerns but claimed the administration failed to engage in meaningful dialogue.
Alam assured that students would be given adequate time to prepare once the dispute is resolved and that examination schedules would be announced in advance.
He further stated that while teachers support students, the responsibility for resolving the crisis lies with the university administration, which must ensure both timely salaries for staff and uninterrupted academic services.
KU Vice Chancellor Dr Khalid Iraqi was not available for comment.
The prolonged standoff has left the academic future of thousands of students uncertain, with no clear timeline yet announced for the resumption of examinations.
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