Degree programs in government colleges remain closed
For the past four years, thousands of underprivileged students have been shut out from free government college graduation programs due to negligence from the Sindh College Education Department. Government-run college degree programs have remained inaccessible, leaving aspiring students in Karachi and beyond with few options.
Many youths in Karachi, unable to secure admission to public universities, are forced into costly private institutions or stay home due to financial constraints. This issue isn’t confined to Karachi but extends across regions in Sindh.
Despite efforts by the caretaker government, the initiative to introduce a four-year BS degree program in government colleges has stalled. A committee formed to review the policy draft hasn’t convened, highlighting the department’s lack of urgency.
Four years ago, the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC) mandated the transition from two-year graduation programs to four-year BS degree programs in colleges nationwide. However, the two-year programs were downgraded to an ‘associate degree,’ hindering enrollment due to its lack of equivalence to traditional graduation certificates.
Students like Hamad express frustration at being unable to pursue a government college degree post-intermediate. Unable to afford private universities, many opt for associate degree programs despite financial constraints.
Of the 92 government colleges in Karachi, previously offering two-year programs, only five now provide limited-scale BS four-year degree programs. The Express Tribune’s attempts to seek explanations from officials like Professor Sulaiman Sayal and Sadaf Sheikh regarding the delays or directives were inconclusive.
Addressing these concerns immediately is crucial to safeguard educational opportunities for the youth. Authorities must take decisive action to ensure equitable access to education for all.