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Express Tribune
30-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Unpacking K-P's higher education crisis
Recent revelations about the abysmal performance of candidates in competitive examinations highlight the deteriorating standards of higher education in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. For instance, in the examination for Additional Sessions Judges from the lawyers' quota last year, the pass percentage was an astonishing zero. Similarly, for 80 seats of Civil Judges, only nine candidates qualified. More recently, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council requested the Peshawar High Court to relax English language requirements for the Additional Sessions Judges screening test. Out of 598 candidates, 139 failed to clear the English component. The downward trend continues with the Central Superior Services (CSS) Examination, where only 408 out of 28,024 candidates passed the written exam—a pass percentage of just 2.96%. This state of affairs paints a bleak picture. The degrees conferred by the universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, often hold little real-world value as the graduates are ill-equipped to compete in a rapidly evolving job market. This brings us to the pressing question: What has gone so wrong? Universities as engines of change: a fading ideal Higher education institutions are expected to uphold rigorous standards, foster academic excellence, conduct meaningful research, and prepare students for public service and leadership roles. Universities, often called "banks of knowledge," are meant to ignite critical thinking and generate new ideas, thereby driving intellectual and economic growth. However, setting up a university is not enough. Ensuring the quality of education is paramount. Recognising this, Pakistan has developed legal frameworks and policies like the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Ordinance 2002, the Federal Universities Ordinance 2002, and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Universities Act 2012. But the implementation remains deeply flawed. HEC: a toothless watchdog? As per the Fourth Schedule, Legislative List Part II of the Constitution, it is the federal government's responsibility to maintain standards in higher education and research. This task falls to the HEC, which has laid out benchmarks for new universities, departments, and degree programs. Unfortunately, these standards are often ignored. The HEC aims to build a progressive and tolerant society, promoting the dignity of labour, critical thought, and public service. Its goals include mobilising resources, enhancing institutional quality, and facilitating reform. But without enforcement, these objectives remain just aspirational. Between law and laxit The Modern University Governance Programme seeks to professionalise university leadership, introduce international best practices, and encourage data-driven decision-making. Yet, these reforms barely scratch the surface in most KP universities. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Universities Act 2012 aimed to overhaul governance structures, ensuring transparency and representation. But have these ideals been met? The continued decline in global rankings suggests otherwise. For instance, Punjab University and University of Peshawar languish in the 800-1000 and 951-1000 bands, respectively. The 2012 University Act was intended to grant autonomy and encourage innovation. However, its implementation has led to a proliferation of jobs, not improvement in education. Laws alone cannot transform institutions unless faithfully implemented. Billions of rupees have been poured into higher education by both federal and provincial governments. Yet, the promised quality remains elusive. Why? Rules exist, but are rarely followed The Syndicate and Senate, intended as autonomous oversight bodies, are often manipulated. Vice Chancellors (VCs) influence member selection, weakening accountability. Many decisions favour vested interests, leading to internal conflicts and deteriorating academic environments. A major concern is the imbalance in these statutory bodies, where independent voices are outnumbered by university employees and government officials with potential conflicts of interest. This undermines transparency and sound decision-making, contributing to financial mismanagement and academic mediocrity. The elusive quest for excellence Some universities tout slogans like "Quest for Excellence," but reality tells a different story. MPhil and PhD programs are launched without regular faculty or departmental accreditation. Admission criteria are lowered, and standards differ widely across institutions. Degrees are mass-produced, not earned through rigorous academic engagement. Research and innovation are given short shrift. Many universities fail to allocate even the mandated 10% of their budget for research. Very few have research journals of even a 'Y' category ranking. The Vice Chancellor: key to reform or agent of decay? The VC plays a pivotal role. Unfortunately, appointments are often politically motivated. Search committees rarely examine service records or ethical conduct. A VC must be a role model with impeccable integrity, yet many succumb to external pressures, compromising merit and accountability. Ideally, the VC should serve a five-year term and can be appointed from outside academia, provided the individual has administrative acumen and intellectual depth. Former Chief Secretaries or heads of training institutions can be viable candidates if chosen wisely. Ad Hoc Appointments Sections 11(5)(d) and 11(5)(e) of the University Act, meant for temporary appointments, are routinely misused. Contracts are extended beyond legal limits, promotions are granted without merit, and deserving candidates are excluded. In one prominent case, the Peshawar High Court dismissed petitions for regularisation from over 50 contractual employees, reinforcing the principle of merit-based hiring. Mandatory positions such as Registrar, Treasurer, Controller of Examinations, and Deans often remain vacant or are filled through dubious means. Cherry-picking, internal favoritism, and ignoring relevant experience are common. The role of regulatory bodies Despite clear legal directives, statutory bodies like the Senate and Syndicate often overstep their limits. Contracts are unlawfully extended, salaries are paid against expired terms, and non-sanctioned posts are created. This not only violates audit standards but also promotes corruption. All university appointments must follow the Planning & Development guidelines and be backed by financial feasibility. Any deviation should be reviewed and rectified. Academic dilution and devaluation Enrolment standards for MPhil and PhD programs are inconsistent. Some universities admit candidates without declaring dissertation results. Co-authorship with students is misused for promotions, while faculty publications often appear in substandard journals. There must be uniform criteria. Professorship should be tied to significant achievements such as inventions, development of new theories, or international recognition. Inspections and accountability Section 21 of the Act allows the Senate and Chancellor to order inspections. These powers should be actively used. Statutes must clearly define mechanisms for independent inquiries. Moreover, the absence of strategic plans, lack of performance audits, and poor curriculum design further weaken educational outcomes. Extracurricular activities are rare, leading to a stagnant academic culture. Research: neglected and underfunded Top global universities allocate nearly half of their budgets to research and innovation. In Pakistan, this figure rarely exceeds 5%. Library resources, journal access, and publication support are grossly inadequate. Transparency and reality check The emphasis remains on enrolment numbers rather than academic excellence. Courses are offered without faculty, infrastructure, or accreditation. Semester rules are flouted, and admission processes are manipulated. A local university, unnamed here for its protection, lost six international PhD scholarships due to its failure to convene a syndicate meeting. Budget documents presented in 2019 were based on outdated plans from 2016. Departments like Geology and Chemistry failed to meet regularly, and no internal or external audits were conducted. Moreover, fake degrees and detailed marks certificates were issued by an organised mafia within the university. Even directives from the Chancellor to constitute an independent inquiry committee were ignored. University of Peshawar: a case study in decline The university's FY23 budget projected Rs4.176 billion in income against Rs4.702 billion in expenses, revealing a shortfall of Rs502 million. Pension arrears and salary increments further inflated the deficit. Between 2007 and 2018, the university added over 2,000 employees without proper need assessment, in clear violation of financial regulations. These unchecked recruitments contributed to a deficit of over Rs1.2 billion. Beyond slogans to substance Good governance in education hinges on the rule of law, accountability, and commitment to merit. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Universities Act 2012, HEC guidelines, and constitutional provisions provide a solid foundation. What is lacking is implementation. As aptly remarked by Riaz Noor, former Chief Secretary and Secretary Higher Education, "In 1970 when I applied for admission to Oxford University, degrees from Peshawar University were recognised. Today, it is not even on the radar." The higher education crisis in Pakistan is not just about funding or infrastructure. It is about vision, leadership, and above all, quality. If we wish to reclaim academic integrity and global recognition, the time to act is now. The way forward: urgent and comprehensive reforms Transparent Appointments: Selection of VCs and senior administrators must be based on merit and verified past performance. Public Service Commission Oversight: Appointments from BPS-16 to BPS-21 should be made through the Public Service Commission. Performance Audits: Reputed international firms should regularly evaluate university departments. Key Performance Indicators: Each unit of the university must be held accountable through measurable targets. R&D Funding: At least 40% of the university budget must be allocated to research. Industrial Linkages: Strong partnerships with industries can bridge the skills gap. Independent Members: Increase the number of neutral, qualified members in the Senate and Syndicate. Student Engagement: Revive student unions and encourage co-curricular activities. Regulate New Departments: No new department should be established until the existing ones are fully functional. Standardise Postgraduate Admissions: Strict adherence to HEC guidelines must be ensured. Dr Syed Akhtar Ali Shah is a former Secretary to Government, Home & Tribal Affairs Department and a retired IG. He can be emailed at: aashah77@ All facts and information are the sole responsibility of the author
Express Tribune
27-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
What ails universities in K-P?
The writer is a former Secretary to Government, Home and Tribal Affairs Department and a retired IGP. He can be reached at syed_shah94@ Listen to article Recent news of dismal performance of candidates in various competitive examinations speaks volumes of the deteriorating standards of higher education in our universities. Not a single candidate from the lawyer's quota passed the last year's examination for additional sessions judges. Only 9 candidates qualified for the 80 seats of civil judges. No wonder the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council requested the Peshawar High Court to relax the English language requirement for the additional sessions judges screening test. Out of the 598 candidates, 139 did not pass the English part. Similarly, only 408 candidates out of the 28,024, a mere 2.96%, passed the written CSS exam. That means students graduating from universities have the degree but not the knowledge to do well in competitive exams. The question is: what has gone wrong? As an engine of change, universities with quality education act as a propeller, navigating the nation to the shores of progress and development. The tall claims of universities in their vision and mission are mere words without much of substance in them. 'Quest for Excellence', the motto of a university in District Swabi, is pleasing on the ears, but that is all that is there to it. While one may argue that the university aspires be there, most do not have the logistics and resources available to achieve such ambitious goals. The career and professional growth; addition to human knowledge; contribution to the cultural, social and economic growth of society through ground-breaking research are perhaps unrealistic goals most universities set for themselves. They promise more than they can actually deliver. One reason for the poor performance of universities is the lack of good governance which requires adherence to the law set for universities in the Constitution of the country, the HEC guidelines and the Act that governs them. Though the preamble to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Universities Act, 2012 postulates reconstitution and re-organisation of "universities to further improve their governance and management by ensuring accountability, transparency and giving due representation to all stakeholders in decision-making, so as to enhance the quality of higher education in the province", in reality the performance of universities has declined. Contrary to the set standards, universities offer programmes, even MPhil and PhD, without regular faculty. To add insult to injury, some of them offer degree programmes without accreditation. Though the Act envisions structural changes, good governance and good quality education, universities do not deliver the expected goods. Arguably, vice chancellors are the pivots, but the procedure of their selection suffers from serious flaws. The search committee does not take into account candidates' previous achievements. The past achievements and quality of a candidate's work should matter, not the size of their CV. The legal framework promises autonomy, integrity and efficiency. However, the effectiveness of governance largely depends on leadership, high moral standards, particularly of the vice chancellor, registrar, treasurer and controller of Examination. Most of these officers seek their positions through connections, not merit, which is why they most easily succumb to internal and external pressures at the cost of quality. Keeping these positions filled through ad hoc arrangements makes these officers more vulnerable. Although recent amendments to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Universities Act now require registrars to be appointed from within the administrative cadre of universities, this requirement is often bypassed to accommodate hand-picked candidates. For example, the University of Swabi's statutes specify that the librarian must hold a PhD in Library Science and be promoted from within the university library's cadre. In other words, a librarian cannot be posted to other office, not in accordance with his or her job description. This principle is meant to ensure merit-based appointments. Similar rules are disregarded in the appointment of registrars also. Appointments of vice chancellors through connections in utter disregard of merit leads to poor governance and dismal administrative performance - something that impacts the quality of education and research in universities. Such vice chancellors are likely to gratify their patrons more than strengthen academics, governance and quality of education. Moreover, appointing scores of redundant teaching and non-teaching staff in universities creates unnecessary financial burden on universities. Such appointees resort to litigation seeking regularisation of their services despite the fact that there is no such provision in the laws of universities. Women University of Swabi is a case in point, where the contracts of many of the members of the faculty and administration have expired. In this respect, the Peshawar High Court dismissed a petition filed by more than 50 contractual employees of the university. These petitioners were seeking regularisation of their services. The High Court declared the instant writ petition "not maintainable" as well as "meritless" and thus it was dismissed. The judgement and laws are clear. Even the Syndicate, the Senate and the Chancellor cannot extend the contract beyond the period stipulated in the Act. Consequently, the services of those who completed their term of appointment, as per their contract, stand terminated. In view of the aforementioned observation, the right course is to follow the HEC guidelines, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa University Act, 2012, and the statutes made thereunder in letter and spirit, and put an end to ad hocism. Universities ought to have permanent vice chancellors and other officers in accordance with the laws of the universities. Stop-gap-arrangements will only worsen the falling standards of education and governance in universities. With a consistent permanent set-up, one can hope that universities are likely to deliver some of the promises they make in their mottos. No society can afford mediocrity in the appointments of leaders for institutes of higher learning. We cannot afford to appoint vice chancellors through networking who gratify their patrons.
