The great university of Karachi; which spreads to an extent of 1800 acres, consists of 9 faculties with 57 departments, and over 36000 students enrolled, is a small city in its own. And like every other city of Pakistan this one is also face to face with a lot of problems of finance, politics, infrastructure and administration.
If we point out the obvious we have transport which does not suffice the current needs, are not well maintained and students are helplessly travelling with them as they cannot afford public transport. A bus with a capacity of 50 people, carry 100 in it simply because of lack of available buses to cater the needs of the students.
Not only this, but the classrooms fail to accommodate the students as well. Students have come to terms with the fact that Karachi University cannot offer ‘state of the art facilities’ amid all the financial challenges, and it is too much to ask for but at least students should have proper sitting equipments at their disposal.
Students are forced to sit on broken benches, the classroom haven’t been dusted since probably the beginning of civilization and many students face allergies due to this. Also, fees are increased ever year to cover the losses of the varsity. People who are unable to afford private universities seek refuge in government universities but it seems in a short span of time KU will no longer be able to shelter the economically deprived population as it will reach the same fee structure that private universities demand.
The prestige and honour that KU once had is deteriorating with time, and it is very possible that the generations to come might not trust Karachi University with their future and not opt for it as their own education institue. It is an asset for the people of Sindh and especially for the residents of Karachi. It needs not to be taken for granted and should be administered with great efficiency. But since the authorities don’t suffer what the students go through, they remain oblivious to the arising problems. Karachi University is suffering from immense administrative failures but no one bothers to stand up against it.
Obviously, it is impossible to highlight all the issues here, but I would like to ask as to where shall the students raise their voice against this injustice? All the above mentioned issues are a drop in the ocean. Where shall we report the ocean of crises?
It has been four months since I got enrolled into the University and in this short period of time the teachers have protested five to six times. Teachers and the administrative staff have their own organizations which highlights their concerns; they call strikes on not being given increments in their salaries, they protest when their children are not being given jobs in the university, however they are affected in the least.
Students are the ones who are at loss, who miss their classes and are supposed to cover up for that by themselves and there is no accountability for that, but when a student misses a class on their own then they are objected upon. Teachers; the fundamental role models for the students, unintentionally teach them hypocrisy. This builds frustration in the students and essentially produces havoc for the ethical standards that they are desperately trying to build. What sort of intellectuals are the teachers trying to breed?
To raise the demands of the students, the only protesting groups are either from a student organization or a society, these matters aren’t just a matter of concern for students affiliated with these specific organizations but every student should understand its importance.
And stand firmly united against any decision being made against the interest of students. Even though there will be repercussions but without raising our voice against oppression, injustice will prevail. Teachers and all other concerned people raise their voices, give strike calls cancel scheduled classes and get what they want. While students have no platform whatsoever, neither are the students struggling for it and nor are they interested. That day is not far when this varsity will have students but not a person who will fit the actual definition of it.
Obviously the political parties and the administration doesn’t want Student union to prevail, as when it was active students had proper representatives; who also had a seat reserved in Senate’s syndicate, who addressed the problems faced by the student’s in an appropriate manner. This is one of the major reasons why it is still banned. And in times like these, we feel a desperate need to revive the student union and stand up for our rights as students and loyal well-wishers of Karachi University.
It’s our responsibility to play our role not individually but collectively as student body in order to gain something for the betterment of our beloved university otherwise, we will witness its fall as it is already in shambles, just the way government school and colleges meet their downfall.
