March 25, 2002	Monday	Muharram 10, 1423

KARACHI, March 24: A probe committee has been formed to look into the hostel problems of Rana Liaquat Ali Khan Govt College of Home Economics, said sources in the education department.

It was learnt that the authorities concerned had been receiving different reports regarding poor facilities and bad governance at the college that enrolled over 2,200 students. However, a recent letter received from students about inadequate facilities and poor maintenance of hostel, finally, moved the authorities to institute a probe committee comprising two senior teachers of a city college for women.

Sources said that the committee would cover the entire affairs of the hostel and would also be able to have an insight into other academic and administrative affairs of the college, including different educational projects and course-related exhibitions, which were mostly held with the support of sponsors and funding by students.

A teacher of the college said that the affairs of the colleges needed an overhauling of the academic, administrative and financial affairs of the college. Teachers are also critical of the competent authorities who have granted an extension in the services of the siting principal who has already reached the age of superannuation.

One of the college teachers said that if the principal was indispensable for the college she could be retained in some other capacity, relieving her at least of the post of principal as there were other qualified teachers of higher grade in the subject of Home Economics who could be appointed as new principal.

It was further said that the extension was also against the policy of the present government which did not encourage any extension in regular service of people who are on the verge of retirement.

When contacted, the district officer education (college), Prof Mujib M. Feeroze, confirmed that a probe committee had been formed to look into certain complaints pertaining to Home Economics college. Necessary orders have been issued regarding the working of the probe committee which would visit the college in question after Muharrum holidays, he added.

Students of the college said that the biggest problem was the shortage of water in the washroom, and the administration was not paying any heed to the problem. They also urged the authorities to provide a prayer room in the college.

The also complained about the low standard of education and absent of latest technology in the college. There was sewerage problem in the hostel and there was no proper sickroom in the college as well, they claimed.

When the principal of the college, Prof Zubeda Mairaj, was contacted by this reporter, she said that she was not aware about any inquiry committee on hostel affairs. She maintained that the college and the hostel were functioning normal.