More public colleges set for privatisation

First phase to hand over 150 colleges to private sector during summer vacations

RAWALPINDI:

The Punjab government has decided to further expand the public-private partnership model for improving educational institutions and has formally included government colleges in its privatisation programme alongside schools.

In the first phase, 150 colleges will be handed over to the private sector under the public-private partnership model during the summer vacations. The government has also decided to phase out all commerce colleges across the province.

Under the policy, the Higher Education Department Punjab has approved the establishment of "Colleges of Eminence" in all tehsils. Under the plan, one model college in each tehsil will be upgraded according to international standards, while selected public colleges will be handed over to the private sector under public-private partnership arrangements.

Various benchmarks have been set for selecting colleges based on performance and quality. The Higher Education Department has outlined 10 mandatory criteria, including academic reputation, highly qualified faculty, student performance, research and innovation, modern infrastructure, laboratories, library facilities, industry linkages and internship opportunities.

The initiative aims to align government colleges with modern educational requirements and improve academic standards.