Teachers’ strike irks Paktia University students

GARDEZ (PAN): Students of Paktia University on Saturday expressed their deep concern at an ongoing strike by their teachers over the past five days.

Teachers, who have been seeking administrative reforms at the university, vowed to continue their protest until their demand was met.

A fourth year student of the agriculture faculty, Abdul Rashid, said the strike was having a negative impact on their studies. However, he acknowledged the teachers had long been deprived of their rights, urging the government to address their problems.

Another student, Samiullah Paiwand, said the teachers had boycotted classes and it would be difficult for them to complete their courses until exams. He said they would join their teachers if a provincial delegation, currently in talks with the teachers, failed to resolve the matter.

One of the teachers, Noor Ahmad Ayal, said they would continue to boycott classes until their demands were met.

Provincial council head, Khaista Jan Ahadi, also a member of the delegation, said the talks ended on an inconclusive note. But she said they would continue to try to convince teachers into calling off their strike. She promised the early distribution of land plots to teachers.

A spokesman for the governor, Hashmat Yusufi, said the governor had ordered the creation of a commission for talks with the protesting teachers. The governor’s office plans to establish a township for the teachers, but the residential scheme needed a presidential decree.

Nearly 4,000 students enrolled at the University have been faced with lack of hostels and other problems.

ma/mud

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