Pakistan Higher Education Situation | KU LLB, LLM Exam

Higher Education, Inc.
Karachi, June 22: The current situation in Pakistan can be summarised in a few words: chaos, rulers with no vision, and a hapless, resentful nation. The universities of Karachi are no different, as a senior, recipient of 'Pride of Performance' teacher put it: "We are part of society… why do you people (journalists) expect us to be different?"

Vice-chancellors (VC) of public-sector universities are adamant about not allowing the revival of student unions in universities. Initially, they were vague about the whole thing, dodging questions pertaining to it. However, their real intent came out in the open when details of a meeting of VCs from Sindh were leaked to the media. According to reports, it was decided that the revival of student unions was 'not feasible' as it will cause more violence in the universities. This logic seems dubious because it has been proven that more incidents of violence were recorded after the unions were banned in 1984.

However, a silver lining in this regard seems to be the financial aid that higher education institutes may receive. The World Bank is considering giving $100 million to the Higher Education Commission (HEC) for students who have either gone abroad or are waiting for funds (scholarship funds) before they enrol at educational institutes of their choice. The federal government is also taking some steps pertaining to this, including monetary injection for ailing universities. Let us hope that the students will get some relief from all this.

Meanwhile, the HEC recently published an advertisement in newspapers, warning students and parents not to seek admission in a university that was given a charter in Azad Kashmir but set up campuses in various parts of the country. It is good to know that the HEC is taking action against those who have commercialised education. This, however, is not enough. What about the degree-awarding universities that are housed inside 400- to 600-square-yard bungalows?

A recent visit to a university in the city was an eye-opener. An event was organised in a large room to pay homage to freedom fighter Chaudhry Khaliq Uz Zaman. Sadly, the students there were acting worse than schoolchildren. In fact, they continued to shout and make catcalls despite warnings issued by their teachers, showing that they had little respect for the latter. Indeed, the entire event was an eyesore and painful to say the least. It just goes to show that educational institutes are being run like corporations and zero values are being imparted to the students. -perwez.abdullah@thenews.com.pk (The News)