Higher education sector has seen a boom in the past decade, specifically at the university level; however the same cannot be said for another important part level of the education sector – colleges in the country. The discrepancies at this level are well-known to all, be it the government departments responsible for education, teachers or parents.
Even after the establishment of provincial higher education commissions, colleges remain the same, or even more neglected than ever before. Many argued that provincial commissions would bring about a positive change for colleges, but unfortunately they are trying to take control of resources at universities, which by design are autonomous institutions. The reason for this is simple: The amount of money involved and the resources universities have at their disposal; plus the foreign investment pouring into this particular sector.
Some have gone as far as to upgrade more and more colleges to universities despite an already smaller number of colleges in the country.
The greed of government bodies will most definitely ruin the progress made at the higher education sector in Pakistan. Add to that the damage made by the neglect of intermediate education, we have an education disaster at our hands.
Do they not understand that without getting good college education students can’t seek admission in universities?
Another aspect is the rise of small-scale private colleges that are taking advantage of this situation and minting money at the expense of education in Pakistan. It is noteworthy here that these colleges are just filling the void left by the government. Additionally, they are taking advantage of the lack of oversight by the government bodies. Colleges, for some private investors, are just a source of easy money. This situation is deplorable and we will see long-term damages of this neglect soon when college students from such colleges will seek admission in universities.
Apart from the government and the private sector, parents themselves will have to realize the impact of the situation will have on the future of their children. They should too will have to play their part and press the government and demand better standards from private sector colleges. A demand from parents can make a great change. But it is sad that parents are not taking interest in the education of their children and have everything on the government and institutions.
All these factors combines have further diminished the education structure of the country. Colleges are a cornerstone of the education sector and the government has to realize that without concentrating on colleges, all the money poured into higher education will go to waste.