Shortage of hostels: Students face problems in getting accommodation

Most of the universities don’t have hostels, and those that do are short of space

ISLAMABAD: The students of different educational institutions in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi are facing problems in getting reasonable accommodation due to the shortage of hostels.

Many educational institutions have shortage of accommodation and proper residential facilities for students who are left with no choice but to get rooms on rent in private hostels.

The students living in private hostels do not only have to pay a hefty amount of rent, but also have to face many problems including lack of security, quality meal and clean drinking water.

Many young people who come to the twin cities from various parts of the country with an aim to study at best educational institutions are forced to live in expensive private hostels due to lack of accommodation on campus.

A student Amir Bilal said: "Unhygienic food is served in private hostels and there are no proper arrangements for keeping the rooms and bathrooms clean." He said the hostel owners charge extra for breakfast and laundry.

He further said that private rooms are out of reach of students, even for a single bed hostels are charging Rs7,000 to 10,000.

Another student said that people coming from other cities to study in Islamabad are facing problems as most of the colleges and universities in the twin cities are without residential and hostel facilities. He also complained of bad behaviour of the owners of private hostels.

He said there should be proper checks and monitoring system of private hostels and it should be ensured that private hostels must provide better facilities to the students.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 15^th, 2018.