Peshawar (Khyber Mail): The All Pakistan Tenure Track Faculty Association (APTTA) has strongly condemned the notification issued by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Higher Education Department (HED) on January 13, 2025, labeling it as a direct violation of the KP Universities Act and approved statutes. The notification, APTTA claims, undermines the autonomy of universities and jeopardizes faculty appointments, promotions, and service structures.
According to APTTA, the notification mandates that promotion cases for Tenure Track System (TTS) faculty members be submitted to the Secretary of HED, accompanied by a No Objection Certificate (NOC) and a detailed justification letter. This justification requires excessive information, such as student-teacher ratios, enrolment details, and financial implications, which APTTA describes as unnecessary and burdensome.
Furthermore, the notification requires all recruitments, including promotions and contract appointments, to undergo a screening test conducted by the Educational Testing and Evaluation Agency (ETEA). APTTA has strongly opposed this requirement, arguing that it disrupts the recruitment process and unfairly targets TTS faculty members.
“This notification undermines the autonomy and sovereignty of universities, which are best equipped to manage their internal affairs, including faculty promotions,” APTTA stated. The association called for the immediate withdrawal of the notification and demanded that the KP government respect the principles of academic freedom and university autonomy.
APTTA also criticized the prolonged delay in appointing Vice-Chancellors for 26 universities in KP and urged the government to address longstanding issues, including the lack of service structures for faculty members. The association highlighted that despite possessing advanced qualifications and publications, many faculty members have been deprived of timely promotions.
In a warning to the KP government, APTTA announced plans to stage protests, class boycotts, and sit-ins in front of the Assembly if the notification is not withdrawn. “If the illegal and illogical notification is not reversed, university employees will demand the removal of the Secretary HED and the resignation of the Education Minister,” the association added.
APTTA reiterated its commitment to advocating for academic freedom and a conducive environment for higher education, urging the government to engage in constructive dialogue to resolve these pressing issues.