The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is considering the drastic step of shutting down 14 universities due to concerns over their performance and ongoing financial difficulties. Authorities haven’t reached a final decision yet and are seriously considering all options.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), officials are thinking about closing 14 universities because they are not doing well and are facing financial problems. The Task Force Committee for Higher Education is scrutinizing the operations of these universities.
The committee’s recommendations are planning to finalize and send the report to the cabinet for approval. The committee has had two meetings to discuss solutions. Their meeting on July 11 will determine the final decision. Following the meeting, they will present the recommendations to the provincial cabinet for approval.
When asked about reducing the number of universities in KP, Meena Khan Afridi, the provincial minister for higher education, said no decision has been made yet. “The Task Force Committee is working on the issue, and their recommendations will be reviewed before any decision is taken,” he said.
Dr. Azir, the central general secretary of the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA), supports the recommendation to close some universities. The establishment of many universities on “political grounds without proper need assessments” led to financial problems, he explained.
Performance Of KP Universities
Earlier this year, a report from the Higher Education Commission (HEC) named the University of Peshawar as the worst-performing public university in the province for 2022-23. This university, once known for its education and research, scored only 10 percent on the HEC’s performance scorecard.
Other universities like Gomal University, Kohat University of Science and Technology (KUST), and Sarhad University of Science and Information Technology (SUIT) also did poorly, with scores below 30 percent.
On the other hand, Khyber Medical University (KMU) did the best with a score of over 70 percent. The University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Peshawar scored over 60 percent. Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, scored 53 percent, the University of Hazara over 52 percent, and Islamia College University, Peshawar, 48 percent. Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women’s University Peshawar, Abbottabad University of Science and Technology (AUST), and the University of Malakand scored 40 percent, 20 percent, and 30 percent, respectively.
This consideration comes at a critical time as the province seeks to improve its higher education system amidst ongoing financial constraints.