Experts warn of crisis over HEC budget cuts

Despite rising inflation, govt has allocated only Rs39.48b for FY 2025–26

ISLAMABAD:

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) is facing serious challenges due to significant budget cuts and reduced funding. Despite soaring inflation and rising operational costs, the annual budget allocation for the HEC has been limited to only Rs39.48 billion. Education experts have called for an increase in HEC's budget and urged the government to declare an "education emergency" to ensure access to higher education for every child.

According to official documents, the government has allocated Rs39.48 billion under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for 140 ongoing and 12 new schemes. These include: The Allama Muhammad Iqbal Scholarship Programme for students from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, and other friendly countries; construction of the academic block at Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University; development of the main campus of Bacha Khan University; upgradation of blocks at the University of Baltistan; establishment of sports academies; organisation of Youth Olympics and expansion of the National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Rawalpindi.

Additionally, Rs1 billion has been earmarked for the third phase of the Fulbright Scholarship Support Programme, while Rs2.3 billion has been set aside for the Overseas Scholarships Programme for MS/MPhil students. Another Rs3.67 billion has been allocated for the PhD scholarship programme under Phase I of the US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor. The Pak-Korea Nutrition Centre will receive Rs800 million. It is worth noting that in 2018, the HEC's development budget stood at Rs46.23 billion. Seven years later, despite sharp increases in inflation and operational costs, the budget for FY 2025–26 has been slashed to Rs39.48 billion.

Educationists argue that to improve literacy, expand access to higher education, and drive socio-economic development, the government must declare an education emergency and increase the education budget.