Higher education in K-P

PESHAWAR: This is with reference to the letter “An open letter to Imran Khan” (August 30) regarding the state of affairs at the Government Post Graduate College, Haripur. The Higher Education Department launched the four-year BSc programme as a major paradigm shift on modern footings. Initially, it was executed in 56 government colleges in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The department strongly intends to extend it to all government colleges in line with the Education Policy, 2009. The programme was pioneered by the department and not by a single principal, as is stated in the letter. There is no question of its rollback. The four-year BSc programme is running successfully in several other colleges of the province, offering market-oriented subjects like International Relations, Bio-Informatics, IT, Food and Nutrition, etc. All over the province, there is co-education in the BSc programme and a substantial number of girl students are enrolled.
Transfer of the principal of Government Post Graduate College, Haripur is a routine matter; moreover, he was transferred after completion of his tenure in the college. The Higher Education Department also believes that execution of the four-year BSc programme needs robust and sturdy management. Despite being an intellectually sound scholar, he unfortunately proved himself to be a weak administrator. The department considered that his services could be better utilised as a senior faculty member in a premier college of the Hazara Division where the BS programme is being offered in 14 disciplines.
The Higher Education Department believes in access of all to education and is striving to impart it according to the needs of the present era on modern lines. The allegations that female faculty members are barred from entering the college building and expulsion of female staff and students from the college hostel are totally devoid of substance.
It is an unfortunate trend amongst some officers of the department to resist being posted out from the postings of their choice. After the advent of a government, which has come with an agenda of good governance, such attitudes cannot be encouraged.
Nasir Khan
Spokesperson
Higher Education Department
Published in The Express Tribune, September 3^rd, 2013.