The devastating flood that has struck the country this year may close the door of education for thousands of students from South Punjab and other affected areas.
A large number of students from the flood-hit parts of the province are facing financial problems in getting admission to colleges and universities and paying the fee to continue their education.
Several students stressed while speaking to The Express Tribune about their plight that the Punjab government should give a special relaxation in the fee this year and the universities and colleges should extend the last date of admission in view of the situation.
They said a large number of students from the Rajanpur, Fazalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Taunsa and other areas of South Punjab would not be able to get admissions in universities and colleges because the flood had destroyed their homes.
The admissions process at the intermediate, graduation and postgraduate levels is currently under way in many universities and colleges that are receiving admission forms and holding entry tests.
There are reports that a large number of students from the affected areas have not allied for the admission mainly because of their financial predicament after the flood.
On the other hand, colleges and universities are also engaged in supporting the people of the flood-hit areas. Food relief camps were also set up at the universities to help the affected people
However, the difficulties faced by the students from the areas to get admission and continue studies due to due to financial problems is also a major issue.
"Some universities extended their admission date, announcing the decision was meant to support the flood-affected students. But university administrators should realise that extending the date will not be helpful for us as our top problem is being unable to pay the admission fee," said a student from Rajanpur, Abdul Rahman.
"Our homes have been destroyed, we are facing food shortage, their have been deaths in our areas and beside this diseases have spread in the areas after the flood," he added.
He said that if the provincial government and university administrations wanted to support the flood-affected people, they should offer the residents of those areas fee concession or exemption for the current year.
Mian Anees, a student from Dera Ghazi Khan, said, "A big issue for students in our area is revival of academic activities. Hundreds of schools have been damaged and academic activities were stopped, while the literacy department schools were also closed in the affected areas."
He said there had been reports that thousands of students were not getting admission to the colleges and universities.
The student said the situation demanded that Punjab government instruct the public sector colleges and universities to offer fee relaxation.
He said thousands of students from the area were already studying in big colleges and universities but not in the position to pay the fees.
"The universities should consider giving fee relaxation to all students from the flood-affected areas. Otherwise, a large number of them will be deprived of education," he said.
He said the students were unable even to afford travelling to Lahore and cities for admission in the prevailing circumstances, , let alone bearing the fee and hostel expenses.
Replying to a question, a Punjab University official said, "We have given relaxation to students from flood-hit areas in connection with exams but not have yet made any announcement about fee relaxation."
Islami Jamiat Talba Pakistan leader Shakeel Ahmad said, "We have demanded that the public sector universities and colleges relax the fee of flood-hit areas' students. Thousands of students will not be able to continue their study otherwise."
Published in The Express Tribune, September 10th, 2022.
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