Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association’ President, Naimatullah Laghari, Sindh Chapter President, Ayaz Ali Keerio, and NED Teachers Association (NETA) President, Usman Ali Shah, have demanded of the Sindh government to increase teachers’ salaries by 20 per cent and give them a 75 per cent tax rebate and other genuine allowances.
An emergent meeting of NETA was held at NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi on Monday to discuss the impact of Sindh & federal budgets on education sector.
The meeting was also attended by FAPUASA office-bearers.
Dr Naimatullah expressed concerns over the budget. He regretted that the education sector, especially higher education is not given due consideration in the budget.
Dr Ayaz said that Sindh budget has disappointed teachers as their demands were not met. It should be realized by Sindh government soon that frustration is increased among the teachers, he added.
He said in recent budget Sindh has allocated Rs 200 million for all universities of the province but they haven’t realized of size and needs of universities like, University of Sindh, University of Karachi, and NED University of Engineering and Technology that are suffering from financial crises. He said the financial needs of these varsities are more as compared to others universities.
Dr Usman said the ad-hoc relief given to the university faculty is not sufficient. He said reduction in the tax rebate in the last budget has increased the problems of university faculty. He demanded of government to incorporate their demands in the budget 2015-16.
He said restoration of the tax rebate will not only reduce financial burden of the faculty but also motivate them to participate in the research activities.
He said special grants should be approved for the public sector universities facing financial deficit, and additional grants should be given to public sector universities in proportion to their size and needs.
However, President FAPUASA (Pakistan) added that a meeting of FAPUASA will be called after Ramadan at Islamabad. FAPUASA may launch a protest drive all over Pakistan in case their demands were not met.