Staff oppose plan to set up quarantine centers on campus

PESHAWAR: The teaching and non-teaching staff of different universities in the provincial metropolis have expressed serious reservations over the proposed step of the government to set up quarantine centres on the campus for coronavirus suspects.

At an emergency meeting of different associations of several universities, the participants urged the government to refrain from any such step that may endanger the lives of the teaching, non-teaching staff, students and other dwellers of the residential campuses.

The meeting was chaired by president Peshawar University Teachers Association (PUTA) Dr Fazle Nasir and attended by general secretary PUTA, Zakirullah Jan, president administrative staff association University of Peshawar Dr Fazal Sher Khan, general secretary, Agriculture University Teachers Association, Dr Khalid Nawab, president, Engineering University Teachers Association Dr Sadiq Ali, president Teaching Staff Association Islamia College University Dr Dilnawaz Khattak, president, Class III association Muzakkir Shah, president, Class IV association, Arbab Farman, and president, sanitation staff association, Lazir Masih.

The participants said that the reports about the establishment of quarantine centres in the university have spread a wave of unrest among the dwellers of the universities. They said that the government should set up such centres away from populated areas.

The participants stressed that the government should also look into the situation arising after the closure of educational institutions. They said to save the precious time of the students, the government in consultation with the universities’ administration should arrange online classes for students besides making some makeshift arrangements for examinations and admissions.