By: Salman Yousafzai
PESHAWAR: Students at public sector universities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are facing multiple problems due to a shortage of regular vice-chancellors in government varsities.
According to the Higher Education Department, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, there are a total of 34 public sector universities in the province; however, students and educationists are disappointed due to the government’s lack of interest in promoting education.
Taqvim-ul-Haq, a student at the University of Peshawar, told Pakhtoon Digital that Pakistan Tehreek-I-Insaf had been ruling in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the last twelve years by securing votes on the slogans of change and hope. Still, the young class seemed disappointed due to their failed policies.
“The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa public sector universities have been facing financial crises for the last decade and they have not budgeted to pay salaries of teachers, class IV, and give discounts to students in fee,” The MPhil aspirant student of Peshawar University said.
He claimed that the University of Peshawar was charging higher fees than private universities, which was creating difficulties for low-income students striving to continue their education at government institutions.
The student noted that the University of Peshawar had also terminated its scholarship program for deserving and capable students in the province. He explained that due to financial crises at the province’s pioneering university, it had suspended its grant provision program for research that students previously relied on, negatively impacting education in the province.
Professor Doctor, Muhammad Aziz, a member of the Peshawar University Teacher Association, said the number of regular teachers at the University of Peshawar had been decreased to 400 from 700 since the current government came into ruling for the third time.
He said on the other hand, the number of students had been increased from 3000 to 17000, and most teachers taking classes as visiting lecturers, complaining that the provincial government was not giving funds to the universities which causing problems for both students and teachers.
Provincial Minister for Higher Education, Mena Khan Afridi, told Pakhtoons Digital on this scribe that additional responsibilities have been assigned to several university chancellors due to the vacant positions of vice-chancellors. However, considering the challenges faced by students, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has prioritized inter-level education for girl students and orphans across the province.
He stated that a grant of Rs 5 billion would be allocated to the provincial universities this year, and he believes it will provide some financial assistance to them.
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