Students shying away from Peshawar varsity Fewer students in 1st shifts, some depts have no students in 2nd shifts

Frontier Post

The number of students in the University of Peshawar has dwindled because of the high increase in fees and other expenditure which have to be incurred by boys and girls when studying in this ancient institution. And while just a few years ago, evening shifts were started to cater to the growing number of students, some of these have no or very few students because of the self-finance system which is very costly for the students. While many in the past and even now want to get admission in this famous university, the issue of high charges hold them back. Another issue is the NTS test which students are now required to pass before they can gain admission here. The test according to students is not appropriate as students coming to get admission in Arts subjects have to answer Maths, computer and other science related subjects which most often then not these students are unable to pass. The same is the case with those wanting admission in Science subjects as they have to answer question related to art subjects. They also fail to secure impressing marks in this test. There seem no reason that the University authorities, who are themselves experts in education, should look for expertise in Science subjects instudents who want to study in Humanities and vice versa. Iin Anthropology department there were 50 students in evening shift two year ago but after self finance scheme and steeply raised fees; there is not one student in the evening shift in this department. Other departments with empty seats are social work at least 15 seats are empty in evening, Islamiyat Department has no student in evening shift, Archeology presently 17 student are in final class in morning shift against facilities for 50 students and 29 student in previous morning shift in the same subject against facilities for 50 students. While evening shift for this department has no student at all.Journalism and Mass Communication has 29 student in final (evening) against facilities for 54 student; 33 in pervious (evening shift) against 54 available seats. Many other other departments also have unoccupied seats. .This was not the case when there were no NTS and self-finance scheme The university normally charged Rs14,000 which was at least affordable for middle class students but now with self finance-fees increased up to 52,000 which is too expensive for middle class, a large number of student have been deprived of education. On this regarded teachers said that our high authorities are responsible for decreasing of the number of students in this university and student are getting admission in private universities because of low fees there. The said that if the fees are lowered and the NTS is either totally abolished or made rational, there were will be no dearth of students here. They also said that the university needs to raise its standard of education to attract students. Most student said that self-finance was a conspiracy against poor student. Due to this system poor students have given up hope of high education another An MBA student Ihtisham told this scribe that self-finance system provided an opportunity only for moneyed students and deprived talented poor students from education, adding that, it directly affected our literacy rate which is already very low. Many students said that the cost of education in Peshawar university is very high and is twice that of many private universities. Students of deferent departments strongly condemn self-finance scheme and demand that it should be abolished so that students of poor background can come here to learn and excel which was the case a few years ago.