KARACHI:
While education serves as the backbone of a nation’s progress, the deplorable conditions within many hostels cast a shadow over this noble pursuit. Students face a dire lack of basic amenities in hostels across the country. Shared living quarters are often overcrowded with inadequate ventilation and sanitation facilities. Hygiene becomes a major concern leading to health risks and discomfort. Additionally, the lack of proper study spaces or recreational areas hinders academic success and well-being.
For female students, the challenges are exacerbated by security concerns. Insecure buildings, poorly lit corridors and inadequate surveillance mechanisms raise serious safety issues. The lack of female security personnel further compounds the anxiety of living in such hostels. The state of these hostels also reflects a disregard for students’ mental and emotional well-being. The absence of counselling services or support systems leaves students struggling with loneliness, stress and academic pressure.
Poor hostel conditions can lead to health problems, academic decline and increased mental health issues among students. It can discourage talented individuals from pursuing higher education, especially women, further widening the existing gender gap in literacy and professional opportunities. I urge the concerned authorities to take immediate and concrete steps to address these critical problems. Building new hostels with adequate capacity and proper facilities should also be prioritised.
Shamim Uddin
Islamabad
Published in The Express Tribune, January 2nd, 2024.
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