A college within a college

When there is struggling system, intelligent minds investigate challenges and determine how to bring efficiency

The endorsement of building a second government postgraduate college adjacent to and on the premises of the existing Government Postgraduate College (GPC), Chakwal, is quite an enigma. One doubts there is any actual method in this madness by PML-N MNA Iffat Liaquat and her husband, MPA Chaudhry Liaquat Ali Khan, considering that there is a host of issues with the historic GPC that was built in 1949. Instead of erecting a new institution, the planning and development department would better serve area students if the existing infrastructure was updated and resources expanded to accommodate the growing number of students.

Areas for improvement highlighted by faculty include a dearth of hostels for students, particularly female, and a shortage of basic facilities like classroom space. It is acknowledged that a new college would accommodate the enormous 85 per cent female population in the bachelor’s programme at GPC but this would cause an imbalance in numbers and require a revamping and shuffle of the entire existing GPC system. Furthermore, it is not conducive to a modern learning environment to foster a segregated learning environment, nor does it emulate ‘the real world’. It is of practical significance for students to be able to work in a coeducational setting so as to develop soft skills for future careers. The concept of building a college within a college is ridiculous but not surprising since it comes from government quarters. However, we strongly suspect the infusion of political money amid traces of a power or land tussle.

When there is a struggling system, intelligent minds investigate the challenges and determine how to bring it to efficiency. For example, a physician does not perform a hand transplant when a patient has nerve damage in one extremity. She/he researches less invasive methods first. Similarly, the need here is for expansion to GPC via provisions for additional resources to accommodate more students, not to separately erect a new college. The overarching goal is to improve education in the province and for that collaboration is a crucial element.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 7^th, 2017.

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