Recent reports of harassment faced by female students and teachers in various public varsities across the country have triggered a wave of restlessness among parents and students alike. The cases of sexual harassment in universities seem to be at a record level in Sindh, impacting women’s education when the country already has challenges getting girls to go to school.
Such heinous crimes discourage women and girls from seeking an education or taking part in the decision-making process of the country. From the universities' vice chancellors to academic and administrative authorities, all seemingly function to worsen this epidemic
When authorities are teethed with excessive power, they tend to trample everyone in their way. Such odious crimes are not committed by one person alone, but require the assistance of enablers and abettors. This 'mafia' brings the hapless under their fold and creates a nuisance for the vulnerable. Teachers who were dignified as parents in the past have lost their sanctity and now are known as predators. When teachers trade good grades for ‘certain favours’, it puts students in an impossible position. There are various cases whereby female students did not complete their thesis work because they could not ‘qualify’ to fulfil the unmet desires of a supervisor. One student in Karachi University committed suicide because her supervisor deliberately delayed her PhD work for 15 years. Ironically, the same teachers who pursue their doctorate degree from foreign universities abuse their power and position against students when they are appointed to a university in Pakistan. In some cases, ‘chosen students’ remain silent because they are benefitting academically from sexual favours.
In another startling case, two female medical students of Chandika Medical College in Larkana had allegedly committed suicide. Dr. Nimrata Kumrati, a medical student, was found dead in her hostel. Two years later, another student Dr. Noshreen Kazmi was found dead under similar circumstances. The story gained a new twist when a post-mortem report indicated that DNA found on both students belonged to the same man.
These incidents are less common when a third institution is put in charge of awarding students’ grades. The person checking the paper from the third institution does not know whether the student is male or female, minimizing the chance of putting the student ‘at risk’ of coercion or harassment.
It is disappointing that most cases of harassment are reported to the anti-harassment cell of the university, where students are not represented. The cell includes members from the faculty and administration, who tend to dismiss victims of harassment. In most public varsities, administrative positions are awarded to faculty members by the teacher’s union to avert any pushback from students. For example, the posts in charge of examinations, admissions and students’ affairs are conferred by teachers. In this situation, students are left with few options to report wrongdoings.
If teachers and administration can unite for their fringe befits under the fold of the teacher’s union, why can’t students -- who are the university’s main stakeholders -- do the same? Unfortunately, student unions have been banned in most of Pakistan for nearly 40 years. However, the government of Sindh recently lifted the ban on student union in the province. This historic move will allow students to take part in decision-making processes, grant them the right to voice their opinion about university policies. Harassment not only hinders female students from universities, but also discourages those meritorious students who want to contribute to society at a national and international level.
Recommendations
First and foremost, the authority of university administrators needs to be curtailed. The tasks of paper checking, degree certification, awarding of marks and research thesis projects should be entrusted to the university and the board under the aegis of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Sindh. The ultimate authority should rest with the federal HEC to act as a watchdog. This would also strengthen the HEC Sindh, which has been ineffective for too long.
Secondly, the vice chancellor position, administrative posts and faculty members should be hired through the HEC. The HEC Sindh should develop a web portal to collect grievances from stakeholders i.e. students, teachers and officers.
Thirdly, harassment cells in universities are very weak. These committees must include student representation and should be formed in line with the Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2010 to protect female students against fear and pressure tactics used by some teachers and administrative authorities. The HEC has formulated a detailed policy on harassment, but it is not practiced by the varsities, in letter or spirit, showing how the university ‘mafia’ works in a systematic way.
Fourthly, I fail to understand why student unions are banned in Pakistani universities, even when most political leaders were active student leaders in their universities. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto, Hussain Haqani and Javed Hashmi all served in student politics. Student unions bring out the best in society. Students around the world are taking a keen interest in highlighting important issues in their countries.
Lastly, students are discouraged from speaking up against harassment on social media. There have been multiple cases whereby students have been intimidated after posting stories on social media about harassment from teachers and staff. Amidst this suffocating environment, students are unable to learn or contribute to the socio-economic development of the country.
Such heinous crimes discourage women and girls from seeking an education or taking part in the decision-making process of the country. From the universities' vice chancellors to academic and administrative authorities, all seemingly function to worsen this epidemic
When authorities are teethed with excessive power, they tend to trample everyone in their way. Such odious crimes are not committed by one person alone, but require the assistance of enablers and abettors. This 'mafia' brings the hapless under their fold and creates a nuisance for the vulnerable. Teachers who were dignified as parents in the past have lost their sanctity and now are known as predators. When teachers trade good grades for ‘certain favours’, it puts students in an impossible position. There are various cases whereby female students did not complete their thesis work because they could not ‘qualify’ to fulfil the unmet desires of a supervisor. One student in Karachi University committed suicide because her supervisor deliberately delayed her PhD work for 15 years. Ironically, the same teachers who pursue their doctorate degree from foreign universities abuse their power and position against students when they are appointed to a university in Pakistan. In some cases, ‘chosen students’ remain silent because they are benefitting academically from sexual favours.
If teachers and administration can unite for their fringe befits under the fold of the teacher’s union, why can’t students, who are the university’s main stakeholders?
In another startling case, two female medical students of Chandika Medical College in Larkana had allegedly committed suicide. Dr. Nimrata Kumrati, a medical student, was found dead in her hostel. Two years later, another student Dr. Noshreen Kazmi was found dead under similar circumstances. The story gained a new twist when a post-mortem report indicated that DNA found on both students belonged to the same man.
These incidents are less common when a third institution is put in charge of awarding students’ grades. The person checking the paper from the third institution does not know whether the student is male or female, minimizing the chance of putting the student ‘at risk’ of coercion or harassment.
It is disappointing that most cases of harassment are reported to the anti-harassment cell of the university, where students are not represented. The cell includes members from the faculty and administration, who tend to dismiss victims of harassment. In most public varsities, administrative positions are awarded to faculty members by the teacher’s union to avert any pushback from students. For example, the posts in charge of examinations, admissions and students’ affairs are conferred by teachers. In this situation, students are left with few options to report wrongdoings.
If teachers and administration can unite for their fringe befits under the fold of the teacher’s union, why can’t students -- who are the university’s main stakeholders -- do the same? Unfortunately, student unions have been banned in most of Pakistan for nearly 40 years. However, the government of Sindh recently lifted the ban on student union in the province. This historic move will allow students to take part in decision-making processes, grant them the right to voice their opinion about university policies. Harassment not only hinders female students from universities, but also discourages those meritorious students who want to contribute to society at a national and international level.
Recommendations
First and foremost, the authority of university administrators needs to be curtailed. The tasks of paper checking, degree certification, awarding of marks and research thesis projects should be entrusted to the university and the board under the aegis of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Sindh. The ultimate authority should rest with the federal HEC to act as a watchdog. This would also strengthen the HEC Sindh, which has been ineffective for too long.
Secondly, the vice chancellor position, administrative posts and faculty members should be hired through the HEC. The HEC Sindh should develop a web portal to collect grievances from stakeholders i.e. students, teachers and officers.
Thirdly, harassment cells in universities are very weak. These committees must include student representation and should be formed in line with the Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2010 to protect female students against fear and pressure tactics used by some teachers and administrative authorities. The HEC has formulated a detailed policy on harassment, but it is not practiced by the varsities, in letter or spirit, showing how the university ‘mafia’ works in a systematic way.
Fourthly, I fail to understand why student unions are banned in Pakistani universities, even when most political leaders were active student leaders in their universities. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto, Hussain Haqani and Javed Hashmi all served in student politics. Student unions bring out the best in society. Students around the world are taking a keen interest in highlighting important issues in their countries.
Lastly, students are discouraged from speaking up against harassment on social media. There have been multiple cases whereby students have been intimidated after posting stories on social media about harassment from teachers and staff. Amidst this suffocating environment, students are unable to learn or contribute to the socio-economic development of the country.