University Student Issues & Pro Peace Activism Pro peace activism of higher education students Students issues

in light of education stakeholders Peaceful Campus-A Socio-Economic need for Students

It is untrue that student activists did not care for student issues. One pet demand was to waive fees. There were always problems of admissions, class rooms or other infrastructure, and books and curriculum that we addressed and agitated over. (Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo) 1 I think that student unions should be confined to in-house politics, separated from main stream politics. Student and teacher bodies should sit together in discussion forums and resolve issues. Students should have no association with national or regional political parties. They should rather strengthen their departmental societies and work for educational and student issues. (Kahsif Bukhari)2 These two different approaches to solve the student issues have come up with the change of time and the change in history of student politics in Pakistan. Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo (1982) and Mr. Kashif Bukhari (2007) were regarded as popular student leaders of their time. But it is a matter of the fact that Pakistans public university campuses have been ignited with student union rivalries in the past on the name of resolving of student issues. Instead, controlled by some political parties, the leaders of these rival groups have acted only for their own vested interests, these handpicked students/leaders have damaged the real cause of student unions/associations/groups. Their real cause of establishment which they didnt prove was to support and highlight the voices of those aggrieved students who could not obtain justice in their rights for academics and non academics. In international scenario and particularly in Canada, protests have a history of being peaceful and are generally fighting for tuition costs and student rights. They consist of picket signs, petitions and such; violence is rare. Student unions do not have a history of instigating or participating in major riots or violent protests; university students in general have.3

1 2

Iqbal Haider Butt, Revisiting Student Politics in Pakistan 2009 ibid 3 PILDAT Discussion Paper: Proposed Revival of Student Unions in Pakistan 2008

Unfortunately, as the importance and influence of students unions increased over the years, political parties' interference increased and became more direct in many cases. Elections, especially in large universities, became more expensive and money started flowing from sources outside the campuses in a bid to influence the elections. The initial trend of academically bright students leading the students' union elections was replaced by the domination of students unions by the favorites of one or the other political party.4 Higher education student issues culminated into problems and then aggressions in universities, was the result of students needs which when did not properly addressed by different stakeholders of higher education. The policy makers, the administration in universities, the student union leaders and some time the students themselves are blamed for the whole situation. Students are the reflection of education system of any country. When they reflect good and successful in their practical life, there are termed as the successful outcome of that system. On the contrary there images along with their attached degree awarding institutions are blamed in every professional organization. The Medium Term Development Framework 2005-10 states that major issues with the higher education sector in Pakistan are poor standard of faculty and lack of training / capacity building, low enrollment in higher education, minimal relevance of higher education to national needs and lack of compatibility to International Standards, low quality of research and poor governance of Universities. Student organizations dealt with student problems but they were not made elections issue. The elections were not fought on ideological issues. (Dr. Khurshid Husnain) 5 Politics has only one meaning, solution of problems and representation. Student politics is meant for solving student problems and to ensure their representation. (Kamran Khan-ISF)6 Mr. Kamran Khan has further explained these problems as:
4 5

Problems regarding admissions Problems regarding fees and dues etc Problems about accommodation in hostels Problems concerning traveling through university buses Problems of evening students about facilitation of buses and hostels

PILDAT Discussion Paper: Proposed Revival of Student Unions in Pakistan 2008 Iqbal Haider Butt, Revisiting Student Politics in Pakistan 2009 6 ibid

Heres the question arises that if student organizations can sit under one roof for six days in a seminar held by Bargad Organization, why cant they act together in a peaceful manner and using through democratic tools of protest, raise student voices in a better way to solve students issues. Bargad, the only youth organization in Pakistan has had a series of activities in the framework to promote democracy and peace-building on campuses. The series of activities include Peace Skill Development Course, National Survey on Student Politics 2008, a study Revisiting Student Politics in Pakistan followed the Vice Chancellors Conference, All Pakistan Student Leaders Conference and the TOT.7 The last activity of this series a Training of Trainers (TOT) Workshop on Youth Action for Democracy and Peace-building on Campuses, was a key activity of the Project Democracy and Peace-building for Youth on University Campuses which is intended to create youth leadership on campuses by promoting the values of democracy and peace. One and the foremost objective of this TOT was to develop peace-building and women leadership training manual which will establish grounds to motivate universities to introduce and implement a discipline geared to produce trained and professional politician. The ultimate purpose of these series of activities was to promote democracy and peacebuilding in Pakistan universities. The need was generated due to the unimpressive role of students unions and bodies in the past and especially in the context to resolve students issues inside and outside campuses. The need was also the outcome of policy makers and administrators secondary importance towards resolving of student issues and hence the students were forced to take undemocratic norms of protests in campuses in the absence of their training on democracy and peace-building. Bargad has tried to create a network of young permanent faculty staff members who could act as their Advocates for democracy and peacebuilding in their respective universities so that students can take right approach in protests demanding the solution of their issues. Bargad, has also circulated a questionnaire regarding student issues in campuses among the administrators of 19 universities so as to pin point the students core issues of academic, non-academic and research. For Bargad Advocates of democracy and peace-building in campuses, it was necessary that they have a similar bend of mind towards democratic concepts and also they have clearer picture in their minds about student issues in the campuses. So a performa targeting student issues in the universities in academic, non-academic programs and in relevance with governance and administrative support issues was developed as part of TOT workshop for Bargad Advocates. Understood that different universities have different issues, yet a general trend was seeking

Iqbal Haider Butt: All Pakistan Student Leaders Conference on Peace-Building in Campuses 2009

through this quantitative data so that these Advocates would have better understanding on student issues and it can be the basis for student action without resorting to violence. Survey Findings-Student Issues in the Universities Students problems are manifold. Some researches (Brookfield, 1990; Mukhtar, 2001; Rasheed, 2003; Isani & Virk, 2003; and Nisar, 2003) describe the following problems that most of the university students face:8 Classroom Problems The shortage of teaching staff, extra responsibilities with teaching a large number of students in class, unpleasant environment for teaching, non-availability of teaching aids, unawareness of teachers from learning experiences of students and uninterested/irrelevant studies are classroom problems faced by university teachers. Administrative Problems These problems are basically related to administration. Misuse of administrative power of officers and political influence on the promotion of teachers make the university students suffer. Economic Problems Teachers are mostly low-paid employees and same is true for university teachers as regard the demand of work expected of them. Similarly university teachers face residence and related problems which cause low or dissatisfaction among them. They cannot teach well causing a decrease in the standard of education. Social Problems Social problems of teachers affect the quality of teaching. Teachers position in society and their relations with community, colleagues and administrator affect the teaching process. Students problems and issues related to various academic disciplines such as quality of teaching, teaching/learning facilities, job/entrepreneurship oriented education, and personal/social development were quantified through this survey. However the student issues identified by this survey have been classified into academics and non academic and in relation to governance and support issues.
8

Shaukat Ali Raza, Dr. Muhammad Amir Hashmi & Rehmat ullah: Major Issues and Problems in Higher Education; The University Students Perspective www.apqn.org

Students of higher education has certain needs to be fulfilled for smooth completion of their studies. These needs are of academic and non academic in classification. These needs can also be classified as in-campus and out-of-campus needs.

In-Campus/Academic Needs of Student Bargad Survey

When talking of in campus needs, we come across with quality education, class rooms environment, student-teacher assessments, curriculum related issues etc. When asked about these problems individually from the university authorities through the survey, we came across with the following results: 1. Time and space management within the campuses Student-teachers separate meetings besides class room interaction have a very positive role in their studies as well in their social uplifting. Class room teaching time should not be considered as a private meeting time between student and teacher as most of the student are shy to express their feelings in front of their class mates. Through this survey it has been found that though there is no issue of such places where such meetings can be arranged , however the time management and the effective use of these places is lacking in Pakistani universities. The survey has revealed that only 26% universities have specifically scheduled their times for student teacher meetings separately. On the other hand, the survey respondent has positively responded that they have common facility rooms for teachers inside the campuses. Near about 70% of respondent positively replied against this question.

Is there specific time fixed for meeting of students with teachers?

Yes 26%

Do teachers have common rooms in the departments?

No 32% Yes 68%

No 74%

2. Orientation with course schedule and curriculum

Curriculum reviews are necessary to share with students at start of the year. It brings employability and work-related learning needs. Curriculum sharing with student is that much important that it does not cover only the academic subject knowledge but also includes the opportunity for students to engage with alumni or employers working in a related field. This also creates contemporary relevance of the appropriate subjects. Similarly the course schedule and course reader are important things to provide students before hand at start of their semester. It gives them orientation with the course they are going to study in detail and hence increases their learning curve about the subject. About 75% universities have positively responded in the current survey to all questions related to curriculum, course schedule and course readers providing and sharing with students at start of the academic year and during the semester.

Do teachers provide a course reader to the students in advance?

No 26% Yes 74%

Does your university share subject curriculum with students at start of the academic year?
No 21%

Yes 79%

3. Evaluation of teachers SET (Students Evaluation of Teachers) is a part of getting improved feedback in terms of ensuring quality education. This is mostly done against the performance of part time teachers or for those post graduate students who choose teaching as a profession. 68% universities have claimed through this survey that they have a proper system of teachers evaluation by the student. In absence of such evaluation system, students are forced to deal with incompetent teachers during the whole academic years thus compromising their right of getting quality education.

Is the system of teachers' evaluation by the students adopted?

No 32%

Yes 68%

4. The impact of visiting vs. permanent faculty It is important that any university have more permanent faculty members against visiting faculty. It gives teachers peace of mind and they can concentrate more on imparting quality education and skills in their students. But sometime the role of visiting faculty member increases the healthy competition between permanent and visiting teachers through a system of teachers evaluation by the student. On the question of defined criteria for selection of visiting faculty, 74% of the universities reply positively but in terms of ratio between visiting and permanent faculty there is a spilt answer available. 90% permanent faculty is acquired by 7 universities out of total responding 19 universities. While 5 universities each have 80% and 70% permanent faculty with them. picture 5. Research activities 5.1.1. Resource availability Research is always established and proved when it is properly publicized or disseminated. The one important way all this is through departmental newsletter/magazines/journals. A vision of a positive postgraduate experience reflects among others by saying that he has access to adequate research facilities. It also includes that he feels himself part of a wider research community. Online journals are particularly significant for postgraduate and research student. When asked about the resource availability of research facilities to students and their participation through this survey, 58% universities responded that their students take part in publishing of articles in newsletters/magazines/journals.

Do the departmental newsletters/ magazines/ journals also publish articles of students?

Do the departments publish their own newsletters/ magazines/ journals?

No 47%

No 42%

Yes 58%

Yes 53%

5.1.2. Participatory behavior of students and teachers (To Ask Usman) 5.1.3. Research updating issues (To ask Usman) 6. Examination system Assessments through examination is a tool for learning. And getting feedback from markers on assessment certainly improve leanings in students. If students are not told what they did wrong in the examination, how can they improve? 63% responded positively on the question of sharing papers with the students. The administration of examinations holding and declaring the results is also very important for students to take part in examinations smoothly and without any wasting precious time in confirming examination dates and result announcement dates. The survey found out that all universities take examination in presence of teachers. 95% universities posted exam schedules in advance but only 68% posted schedule for examination results in advance. 95% universities have opted the provision of cumulative GPA with the students and 63% universities took one week time procedure for awarding cumulative GPA.

No 5%

Is the schedule for examination posted in advance?

Is the schedule for examination results posted in advance?

No 32% Yes 95% Yes 68%

Is there a system of sharing papers with the students?

No 37% Yes 63%

Is there a procedure for provision of Cumulative GPA with the students?

2 5%

1 95%

Non-Academic Issues
1. Provision of career counseling services & centers within campuses Students would always take advantage of the opportunities universities and colleges make available to them, if they are to be in the best possible position to secure employment postuniversity. They also believe that an effective university-wide employability strategy, high profile careers services and high quality work placement programmes are critical factors in improving their employability.

An important finding of non academic section is that 74% universities have career counseling centers but at the same time 58% of these centers are without certified career counseling experts. Similarly 58% universities do not have even job placement centre and 53% do not arrange job fairs.

Does your university have a Career Counseling Centre?

No 26% Yes 74%

Does your university have certified Career Counseling experts?

No 58%

Yes 42%

Does your university have certified Career Counseling experts?

Yes 42%

Has your university ever organized a Job Fair?

Yes 47%

No 53%

No 58%

2. Students Participation in Departmental Societies and Alumni The social/pastoral side of higher education students demands that they must have access to volunteering, post graduate studies associations, the student unions, department societies and all such activities to groom themselves. A mix response has been viewed on the social development side of students. 84% universities encouraged their students to take part in community services while 63% universities do not bound departments to have their own student societies. Such lack of interest is further strengthened when we see that 79% universities do not bound departments to have their own alumni organization.

Is every department bound to have its students' society?

Is every department bound to have its alumni organization?

Yes 21% No 79%

Yes 37% No 63%

3. Selection of teachers through gender quota Only 5% universities apply a minimum gender quota for selecting teachers. 95% universities do not apply minimum gender quota for selection of teachers which may prove as a hurdle for women teachers to get jobs. Does your university have a minimum gender quota for Yes selecting teachers? 5%

No 95%

4. The presence of sexual harassment policy and its application Sexual harassment is intimidation, bullying or coercion of a sexual nature or the unwelcome or inappropriate promise of rewards in exchange for sexual favors. Particularly the female teachers, employees or students in the Higher Education Institutions are subject of sexual harassment however, male harassment can not be ruled out. Complaints made against such actions by the opponents may be genuine, in- genuine or transplanted under some malice and intent to damage the reputation of person against whom the complaint is filed. On the questions of sexual harassment policy important reflections have been found out in their respective campuses. Even the universities which answered positive on adopting of sexual harassment policy, do not fully comply with enforcing it. The aggregate answer is that only 32%

universities have adopted sexual harassment policy whereas only 26% are looking interested in enforcing it though. Has your university ever applied the Sexual Harassment Policy?
Yes 26%

Does your university have a Sexual Harassment Policy?

Yes 32% No 68%

No 74%

Governance and Administrative Issues

1. Provision of criminal behavioral policy Does your university have a defined policy against criminal behaviour on campus?
No 21% Yes 90% Yes 79%

No 10%

Does your university have a centralized admissions office?

Does the university declare minimum eligibility criteria?

Is a guide for admissions posted No on university website or 5% otherwise?

Yes 100%

Yes 95%

2. Notifications of admission and eligibility criteria for students 3. Student support services;

A new interactive website, a one stop shop helpdesk, or an integrated handbook provide a solution for new comers enquiries related to admission, hostel accommodation, or travelling. As long as the governance and administrative support issues for students are concerned, it seems that all the respondent universities have thoroughly adopted rules and procedures in terms of centralized admission office policy, minimum eligibility criteria for students. 90% universities posted admission guide on websites and also the students get orientation about the department/university after they get admission. Importantly 90% universities have answered positively on the centralized hostel vacancy information system. Different universities take different time period in awarding a student hostel room which varies from one week up till eight weeks. The survey has showed issues on administrative side like on consolidated card policy and on volunteer services of already enrolled students to the newly admission seekers. Does your university have a system of volunteers for helping students in admissions? Are students given orientation about the department/ university after they get No admissions?
10% No 47% Yes 53% Yes 90%

Is the schedule and routes of university buses made accessible to students?

Is there a Centralized Hostel Vacancy Information System in the university? No

10%

Yes 100%

Yes 90%

Does the university release one consolidated card for using its facilities i.e. University Card, Central/ Dept. Library Card, Computer Lab/ - Bus Card, Hostel
No 37%

Yes 63%

HEC & Student Issues

The universities are a catalyst for change, revival of creative thought and process, freedom of expression and speech, and of public debate on issues of national importance. The universities are the grooming grounds for future leaders of this nation, and this is where they need to be reared to become mature and responsible citizens so that Pakistan develops and prospers to join the comity of fast developing nations. For achieving the goals of human development and of transition to a knowledge economy, HEC adopted the strategy targeted at the provision of an environment conducive to quality education in all the higher education institutions through faculty and infrastructure development, support to the faculty and students for teaching and research, and through brining equity, quality, transparency and efficiency in the operation of higher education institutions. The first five year medium term development framework, launched in 2005 identified access, quality and relevance as the key challenges facing the sector at that time. Programs were launched to support original research at universities, align the academic program structure to the three tier bachelor, master and doctoral program structure implemented in the rest of the world, and ensure adherence to internationally benchmarked quality standards and processes. The mission of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) is to facilitate institutions of higher education to serve as engine of growth for the socio-economic development of Pakistan. HEC is faced with three key challenges (a) Quality (b) Access and (c) Relevance. (Javaid R. Laghari, Chairman HEC-MTDF 2011-15) The above challenges recorded in the 2nd Medium Term Development Framework (MTDF) 2011-15 are the same as they were first recorded in 1st Medium Term Development Framework

(2005-10). It means that the overall situation of quality education has not improved. Hence the requirements of students at the campuses remain the same as it were five years ago. Although some quantitative increase in quality has been highlighted in the MTDF 2011-15 yet the real pictures of Higher Education Institutions has not developed which is evident through this survey of Student Issues in the Universities conducted by Bargad in 19 Universities of Pakistan. Since the very day of independence, the higher education could not achieve its proper place in education scenario of Pakistan resulting in Lower Product Standard and enhanced number of unemployed graduates. The present system of college education provides to the student a little choice of disciplines, however, they have to study many subjects which are neither relevant to their present curriculum nor for future studies or employment. A very small number of college students become doctor, engineer or scientists and the majority try their luck in general education. Some of them are definitely successful in getting good jobs through competitive examination by the rest cause increase in the number of unemployed population of the country. To sum up, we may list the major weaknesses of college education in the following manners: Irrational policy making: haphazard changes. Sticking with the Pre-Independence Colonial legacies. Higher education without determining future goals. In-adequacy in educational environment: Political polarization among college Students. Not developing indigenous model of higher education.9

Student Unions & Student Issues

Students' unions have been able to rally for better facilities, improvement in academics and the like. They have also been able to mobilise the student body to show their support for or opposition to certain policies or steps of the government and respective institutions of the day. A major part of students' union activities consisted of activities such as Debates, Declamation Contests, Poetry Sessions, Music Concerts, etc. and these promoted competitive spirit among students to excel in various fields other than studies. Elections provided an excellent opportunity to learn how a democratic process worked. It promoted democratic culture including tolerance to opposing views, accepting verdict of the majority, working with others including the opponents. It also helped students acquire organizational skills, inter-personal abilities and enhance communication skills.10 But it is a matter of the fact that Pakistans public university campuses have been ignited with student union rivalries in the past. Controlled by some political parties, the leaders of these
9

Sajida Mukhtar, Ijaz Ahmad Tatlah, Muhammad Saeed, AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM OF PAKISTAN: International Journal of Academic Research (March 2011) 10 PILDAT Discussion Paper: Proposed Revival of Student Unions in Pakistan 2008

rival groups have acted only for their own vested interests and these handpicked students/leaders have damaged the real cause of student unions/associations/groups. Their real cause of establishment was to support and highlight the voices of those aggrieved students who could not obtain justice in their rights for academics and non academics. This violent perspective of student unions in the campuses have produced a negative image among academia, government and parents and they have voiced against their existence in the past. To alleviate this negative image and promoting the cause of pro-peace, student centered and women-friendly politics in campuses, BARGAD organized an All Pakistan Student Leaders Conference on Peace building in Campuses for six days (19-24 July) in Lahore. This was a rare occasion to build political support against youth violence and extremism that has been one of the main reasons to ban student politics in Pakistan in 1984. It was also a historic event in which more than 80 student leaders belonging to all mainstream student organizations and existing student councils from every province and Azad Jammu and Kashmir participated. The key agenda was to ensure pro-peace, student centered and women-friendly politics in campuses. Taking all stakeholders into discussion the aim was to set a minimum agenda for student politics in campuses. This conference was part of BARGADs programme on Peacebuilding and Youth Cooperation. It provided a rare opportunity to organized student bodies to prepare for collective student action through peaceful resolution of disputes in campuses and to direct student potential for meaningful politics in Pakistan rather than pursing the violent and extremist politics done in the past. One thing was evident from the speeches of student leaders during the conference that they all were set for working together in shaping the new course to politics in campuses. During the open house discussion of the conference, the importance of student issues and its link with the violent protests in the campuses was found. According to Mr. Kabeer Afghan from Pashtunkhwa Students Organization, Lack of leadership and confining students issues would lead towards violence and extremism within campuses. He further stressed upon the need of linkage of student unions with the political parties and said, As well if the student unions are separated from political parties it will lead to a Mafia building. Therefore a code of conduct is required to enhance the linkages between student unions and their parent parties.

Mr. Amir Jalal, representing University Student Federation from Punjab University on the other hand said, students do not need any backing of political parties as they are knowledgeable and have as much as necessary capacity/capability to perceive and resolve their own issues. It was also pointed out that the educational policies are not devised within the campuses so the students are expected to chase their issues outside the campuses along with a linkage with their mainstream parties. Mr. Mubashar Luqman, a well known journalist/analyst, during open house discussion took a moderate view of resolving of student issues through keeping violent strategy in protests. He said that, A minor violence should be a part of student unions manifestos, because at times the rights of students are violated in such a manner that the only answer is a strong protest, because blocking everything is not a solution.

Recommendations and Conclusions

BARGADs survey findings and various activities in pursuance to the promotion of peacebuilding in campuses draw some recommendations for policy makers, administrators of universities, the student unions and organizations like: Universities should design such structure of academic schedules where students feel themselves as active partner with their learning like taking suggestions on course development and content wherever appropriate, engaging in assessments and in ways of being assessed, in peer studies and mentoring each other It seems apparently that in presence of infrastructure availability as common rooms, the time management is not being carried out in an efficient manner so that student teacher interaction can positively be drawn out. Student need a separate time allocation with their teachers after the classes or it may be in the break time. The common rooms facility of teachers can be used of such activities. offering them part time teaching positions after their post graduations Research facilities should be adequately provided to students so that they can proactively and on a wider level become member of research community. An interesting example is a recent programme launched by Pakistans Higher Education Commission in science, technology and engineering which links Pakistani universities to counterparts in nine research renowned universities in OECD countries. As one of the United Nations Education-9 countries (those with the highest illiteracy rates and very large youth populations), Pakistan is counting on these sorts of measures in

international academic cooperation to help address the critical and urgent problems of its development agenda.11 Feedback is very important for students learning to maximize their potential. It should cover all aspects of their learning, teaching, supportive roles, volunteer works, extra curricular etc they are involved in. A wider linkage among universities in credit transfers Adequate study resources like libraries, resource centres, access to e-books, journal access should reach out to post graduate students so that they can use these resources in sufficiently long hours Identify ways in which university careers services can be better supported to meet the specific needs of particular student groups (e.g. disabled students, and postgraduate students) Increase flexibility and innovation in course structures and modes of delivery Properly dissemination of sexual harassment policy in campuses and able administrators should be appointed who could perform transparent investigation on charges of sexual harassment Student unions should play an active role in framing of non-academic activities for students and for this they should help out university administration voluntarily. Sports competition among unions, departmental bodies, inert-university should be held on regular basis.

Currently, common challenges for postgraduate students include: patchy information, advice and guidance; financial issues (e.g. lack of access to student loans or research grants); variable support from supervisors and training for supervisors; insufficient teaching opportunities; lack of focus on the development of transferable skills; difficulty in accessing appropriate accommodation and social isolation. Students' unions have been able to rally for better facilities, improvement in academics and the like. Students' unions have played a mentionable role in student mobilisation, involvement in national level movements and voiced their opinions on international issues as well. They have demonstrated their concern for matters which may not necessarily have been in line with the stance taken by the establishment. Hence, organized student bodies have been able to create an identity and importance of their own. Student organizations, associations and student bodies if work together in a coherent approach can play a vital role in resolving university student issues. Currently, most universities and
11

UNESCO Forum on Higher Education, Research and Knowledge: The Role of Post-Graduate Education in Research Systems; 2008

colleges have the students' societies in departments which cater to extra-curricular activities like debates and drama. The traditional elected Student Unions exist in only a handful of universities and some girls' colleges. But the most concerning matter is this that a current survey by Pak Institute for Peace Studies has showed that majority of students in higher education has turned down the option to become a part of any students politics joining through any organization or union presently working in the country. Although majority of students have showed politically conscious behavior in that survey by expressing their will to cast vote and to use the democratic process to bring about a change.12 The need is to realize them the importance of students activism of democratic and peaceful norms and through which only they can get resolve their in-campus and out-of campus issues. BARGAD, in this respect has taken an indirect initiative and held a TOT for young faculty members of public universities and conferring them the title of BAGAD ADVOCATES for democracy and peace building. BARGAD has also held All Pakistan Student Leaders Conference and provided them an opportunity to draw their program in line with future politics in campuses and focusing on student issues. The TOT workshop prepares young and mid-career university teachers to forge nation-wide partnership with BARGAD for improvement in non-academic programming and to facilitate student development through their democratic and non-violent participation in the system of higher education. On political grounds, there are serious reservations on student unions and organizations within the educationists as expressed by the recommendations of the university VCs (2008) and many those national politicians who have student activism background i.e. Jehangir Badr and Khawaja Saad Rafique are strongly in favour of delinking student organizations with political parties. In an unprecedented move Vice Chancellors of all public and private universities of Pakistan gave a rejoinder to their previous assertions on the student politics (2009). They dont think it appropriate to lift the ban at the present critical situation of the country. They rather support the growth of societies and associations within campuses. They further accuse the student unions of being a source of violence and disruption in studies. Although the present government has announced to lift the ban on student politics, yet its notification is still pending and by procedural standards the announcement of lifting ban might

12

A Survey Report by Pak Institute for Peace Studies: Radicalization: Perceptions of Educated Youth in Pakistan 2010

be a political intent but not an action implemented. The ban on student politics is still operative.