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PESHAWAR, Jan 15 (APP):The Federation of All Pakistan University Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has firmly rejected the recent ban imposed by the Higher Education Department (HED) on recruitment and promotions in public sector universities under its revised Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
The revised SOPs, issued by HED, enforce stringent procedural requirements for recruitment, promotions, and contract hiring in public universities, including mandatory screening tests through the Educational Testing and Evaluation Agency (ETEA).
FAPUASA KP and other university associations have strongly opposed these measures, deeming them a direct infringement on the autonomy of universities.
In a symbolic gesture of dissent, members of teachers’ associations across public universities wore black armbands on Wednesday to protest the notification.
FAPUASA KP has said to take every necessary step to safeguard the autonomy of universities and resist what they describe as an “unlawful imposition.”
The HED’s revised SOPs require that all recruitment and promotion cases be approved through detailed justifications submitted to the Secretary of HED. These justifications must encompass key factors such as student-teacher ratios, enrollment figures, service length of employees, financial implications, and the fiscal space available. The measures aim to ensure transparency and fiscal discipline in academic and administrative appointments.
FAPUASA KP, however, has criticized these guidelines, arguing that they undermine the self-governance of universities and impede their operational efficiency.
The notification also mandates that all recruitment whether for permanent or contract positions must undergo ETEA screening, a condition which FAPUASA KP regards as an additional barrier to hiring qualified faculty and staff.
FAPUASA KP has called for solidarity among university stakeholders and urged the provincial government to withdraw the notification, emphasizing that the autonomy of educational institutions is vital for their effective functioning and contribution to national progress.