KARACHI:
Higher education institutions in Pakistan are supposed to provide affordable and quality education to students. Unfortunately, they are doing very little in this regard. This year, some well-known universities have increased their tuition and hostel accommodation fee, placing an additional burden on students and their families. According to HEC, more than 60% of students in universities across Pakistan belong to middle-class families. Therefore, the increase in university fee adds significant financial pressure.
This unusual increase puts families in a difficult situation, as they are already struggling to make ends meet. For many students, higher fee may mean taking on additional debt, working alongside their studies or even reconsidering whether they can continue their education. This can particularly affect students from smaller cities who must also bear the cost of accommodation and travel. The government must take immediate action on this social issue and prevent this unnecessary financial burden on middle-class families. Universities should also be encouraged to review their fee structures and provide greater transparency about the reasons behind such increases. Students and parents deserve to know how these additional charges are being determined.
Higher education should be accessible to all, regardless of their financial background. If university education becomes unaffordable for a large section of society, Pakistan risks limiting opportunities for talented students simply because their families cannot afford the cost.
Irfan Ali
Jacobabad
