Standard of education in a country is the yardstick to measure its development level. Pakistans education sector has always been in dire straits, with higher education being the only exception. During the past few years HEC, who had taken the place of University Grants Commission, worked tremendously. Thousands of scholars have been sent by HEC to foreign universities to acquire higher education in various disciplines. Foreign donors seeing the performance of HEC began to offer funds and millions of rupees have been pumped into the higher education sector of Pakistan, thanks to HEC.
Governments decision to transfer HEC to provinces has dealt a death blow to this prestigious institution. According to 18th amendment, education ministry has been transferred to provinces and so the HEC. But provinces are not prepared to handle even the elementary education sector, let alone higher education. Thus, it would be an injustice to transfer HEC to provinces. Foreign donors have withheld the funds and future of hundreds of PhD scholars, studying in foreign countries, is in danger. Government must revoke its decision and HEC must not to be transferred to provinces.
HARIS RIZWAN
Karachi
