KP universities seek Rs18 billion special grant from federal government
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's higher education department has asked the federal government for a special Rs18 billion grant for public universities. Its letter says 26 of the province's 34 public universities are running deficits.
- KP higher education department wrote to the HEC chairman seeking a Rs18 billion special grant
- 26 of 34 public universities are in deficit, totalling Rs5.6 billion
- About 200,000 students are affected as fee burdens rise
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's higher education department has asked the federal government for a special grant of Rs18 billion for the province's public universities, saying a large number of them are running at a loss.
According to Daily Jang, the province's secretary for higher education wrote to the chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC). Express News also reported on the letter, which asks for the money to be provided from the federal government.
The letter says 26 of the 34 public universities in the province are in financial deficit. Their combined deficit has reached Rs5.6 billion, written in the letter as 5 billion 60 crore rupees.
About 200,000 students study at the public universities. The letter says these students are being affected, and that the burden of fees on students and their families is rising.
It says the universities have faced a shortfall of Rs18 billion in grants over the past 10 years, while salary and pension expenses have kept rising. According to Express News, the letter adds that the HEC's grant fell by 6.3 percent over the last three years, even as expenses rose by more than 18 percent.
The provincial government has increased its grant to universities to Rs11.85 billion, written as 11 billion 85 crore rupees. The letter describes this amount as insufficient to end the financial difficulties of the institutions.
The department has asked that students not be burdened with additional fees and that grants be distributed in proportion to the number of students enrolled at each university.
The reports do not say whether the HEC or the federal government has responded to the request, or when a decision might be taken.
Why it matters
About 200,000 students at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's public universities are affected, according to the letter. It says fee burdens on them and their families are rising. Universities carry rising salary and pension costs, which touches staff as well. The request asks that students not be charged more and that grants follow student numbers.
