Four-year bachelor’s launched at 26 colleges

The Education Department has launched a 4 year bachelor’s degree course in 26 public degree colleges of the province.

LAHORE:

The Education Department has launched a four-year bachelor’s degree course in 26 public degree colleges of the province.

Education Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, in a seminar held under the auspices of the Higher Education Department on Tuesday, said that the decision had been taken in the best interest of the students. He said the four-year degrees will help the graduates get employed in better positions. He said that the four-year bachelor’s course will eventually bring educational revolution in the province.

The minister ruled out the privatisation of the educational institutions in the Punjab and said that the historical educational institutions of Punjab are a part of the country’s heritage and its valuable assets. He stated that the 26 colleges were being granted financial and administrative autonomy and the boards of governors of these colleges will not be authorised to enhance the tuition fee.

Shujaur Rehman said, “The government has approved a grant of Rs500 million for these colleges to meet the additional expenditures.” He said that the teachers at these institutions will have the same service rules as the staff of other public colleges.

He said that early rehabilitation of the institutions damaged by the floods will be ensured. He said the government recognised that many students from the flood affected areas had been unable to submit their admission application in the colleges of their choice.  To facilitate such students, the government had extended the admissions date by one month. The Education Department has also recommended a fee concession for students from the affected areas, he added.

Higher Education Secretary Ahad Khan Cheema said that the government would provide the autonomous colleges with necessary equipment for their science labs. He said that the government would appoint experienced teaching staff at the colleges who will provide quality university level education to the students.

University of Gujrat VC Dr Nizamuddin, Lahore College for Women University VC Dr Bushara Mateen, HEC Executive Director Dr Suhail Naqvi, Government Islamia College Cooper Road Principal Prof Farzana Shaheen and Government College Samanabad Principal Dr Tasnim were also present on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 8^th, 2010.