Peshawar university students complain of learning loss as teachers on strike for 25 days.

PESHAWAR -- Students of the University of Peshawar have complained about the prolonged boycott of classes by teachers and said the strike was causing a learning loss.

They told Dawn that they had paid huge fees but their education had been suspended for 25 days due to a tussle between teachers and the administration.

'The issues between teachers and university administration can resolve through a proper dialogue instead of wasting our precious time,' a student said.

The complete boycott of classes and other duties by teachers was launched by the joint action committee on March 6 after the killing of security supervisor of the university Saqlain Bangash by a private guard.

Protesters say dialogue on demands only after VC's removal

The JAC comprising the representatives of the Peshawar University Teachers Association (Puta) and Class-III and Class-IV Association of the university have demanded the removal of the vice-chancellor, a judicial inquiry into the killing of the security supervisor, removal of arms from the campus, and psychological examination of all guards.

'Amid escalating inflation, our parents manage fee for our education with great difficulty,' said a student of the BS (Bachelor of Studies) course,' a student told Dawn.

He, however, said the teachers had locked university classrooms and offices forcing thousands of students into staying home for over three weeks.

Another student, who is an MPhil scholar, said he had finalised thesis for the fourth semester but couldn't submit it to the department's chairman or teachers due to the strike.

'If my thesis doesn't reach the relevant office by the end of the current month, then I will have to pay Rs60,000 more for extra semester,' he said.

A student of the BS course said he appeared in the final semester examination a couple of weeks ago and anxiously awaited results but they're delayed due to the teachers strike.

'As the results announcement faces long delays, I'm missing deadlines...