HARIPUR, Aug 27: Upgradation of Commerce College Haripur to the degree level might take another year because of shortage of teaching staff and necessary equipments, sources told Dawn here on Tuesday.

NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani had announced the upgradation of the college during his visit to the city on April 29. The chief minister had promised to facilitate commencement of   degree classes from the month of August.

However red-tapism caused unnecessary delay regarding the implementation of Mr Durrani’s directives as formal approval could not be issued timely to the college administration by the department concerned, creating uncertainty among the already enrolled and new students.

Informed sources also attributed non-implementation of the directives to the preparation of PC 1 of the upgradation plan which, according to sources, the department concerned had so far failed  to complete.

It was also reported that the college administration had expressed its willingness to start degree classes from the ongoing academic year within available infrastructure and financial resources, had some more teachers and furniture been provided before end of August to the institution.

The authorities concerned, further complicating the situation, transferred three teachers from the existing strength of nine to stations of their choice without providing their substitute. As a result, not only the already enrolled students suffered a considerable shortfall in their study credit hours, but the upgradation plan was undermined as well.

Established in October 1995 the college has a strength of 160 students.