Lack of funds jeopardises higher education sector

KARACHI - The higher education sector in the country has been threatened by new policies of the present government as nearly 59 public sector universities are suffering from monetary crisis after refusal of the federal finance ministry to release the Higher Education Commission's fourth quarterly instalment of development and recurring grant worth over Rs 8 billion for 2007-08.

According to an HEC official, the government's step to withhold HEC grant has created hurdles for public universities to carry on their projects.

"However, grants and funds have been provided to all higher learning institutions of the country for various projects and payment of salaries to their employees. The fourth quarterly instalment was due in April, but not a single penny had been released on account of the grant so far; this situation will aggravate the situation at the public-sector universities. In the regard, the higher-ups, including Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani have been asked for intervention into the matter to get the grant released," he said.