Academic year: HED issues guidelines for admissions in public colleges

Colleges asked to offer admissions through the online system developed by the PITB

LAHORE: The Punjab Higher Education Department (HED) has issued detailed guidelines for its Admission Policy 2016 for public sector colleges.

In the document, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune, the colleges have been directed to offer the admissions through the online college admissions system developed by the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) in collaboration with the HED.

The document states that more than 700 public sector colleges of the province are using the Online College Admission System (OCAS) for the processing of intermediate admission applications for their FA, FSc and ICS programmes.

“The OCAS is very affordable. Only Rs25 is charged per application. A student may apply for admission at more than one college after paying the charges for each college. The name of the student will automatically appear in the merit list for the respective college. Any student can apply for admission from anywhere by following three simple steps,” the document states.

The colleges have been instructed to publish the information related to the OCAS in the college prospectus and to display it at prominent places on their campuses. “The literature shall also be made available on the admission desks/stalls by the college authorities for the general information of the students,” it adds.

The policy document also outlines the criteria for admission to intermediate programmes. Admission on sports basis shall be available in only humanities group. The applicants must attach certificates of distinction in the relevant sports with the admission forms. For admission on a disabled quota, a disability certificate must be produced.

O-level students must attach equivalence certificates issued by the Punjab Boards Committee of Chairmen (PBCC) with their admission forms.

Students with less than 75 per cent attendance in college lectures will not be eligible to take BISE examinations. “If a student receives an F grade in two or more subjects in internal assessment, his application shall not be submitted to the board concerned,” the document states.

The colleges have also been directed to ensure that students display their identity cards during academic hours. College security teams should ensure checking of cards. “College administrations should ensure that sports activities are arranged for students,” the document states.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 26^th, 2016.