Higher edu no more a priority | Scholarship's mechanism

In Higher education, something is going wrong, and going wrong very badly
Lahore, Mar 09: Education unfortunately has remained one of the most neglected sectors in the country. Although no one denies, and neither can if anyone even chooses to, its importance and the prevailing realities present a very gloomy picture. Everyone knows who is responsible but not those who are at the helm of affairs.

There are many questions needing immediate answers. If we look at the higher education one can easily feel that something is going wrong, and going wrong very badly. Is it true that the present regime is ignorant of the importance of higher education in science and technology for the development and progress of the country, as it has drastically slashed the budget for the Higher Education Commission (HEC)? Whether it wants to reverse the progress and consciously or unconsciously undo the achievements made in the promotion of higher education during the past over 8 years when the public sector universities expanded and grew tremendously? Whether the cut imposed in the HEC budget is result of a conspiracy, bad governance or corrupt practices?

There is no denying the fact that curtailment of the funds allocated for HEC has denied the opportunity to the public sector institutions to grow at par with private counterparts with quality education at competitive tuition fee. Now, the private sector will find an open opportunity to fetch students at their campuses, which had suffered a set back with the better facilities at public sector varsities through HEC funding.

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani's orders to maintain the recurrent budget of HEC to Rs23 billion from the previous Rs44 billion means almost half the cut in the three years time. The cabinet has approved an annual increase of only 10 per cent in the amount in view of the inflationary trend while ignoring the fact that inflation is climbing at a rate of almost 23 percent. The Nation

'No compromise on girls' education'

Peshawar: The Awami National Party-led government will never compromise on women's education and rights, ANP NWFP President Afrasiab Khattak said on Sunday. Addressing a meeting organised by the ANP Women's Wing on the Role of Women in Peace and Security – held in connection with International Women's Day - the ANP NWFP president said new bills would be tabled in the provincial assembly to empower the women of the province. Daily Times