IN Pakistan, the months of June, July and August are generally considered the admission season for undergraduate admissions in all universities.

Students seek admissions to their favourite institutions but the dreams of many of them are broken because of financial constraints.

In 2014 private and semi-government institutes have charged Rs2,500 to Rs5,000 just for appearing in the entry test. In a country like Pakistan where more than 17.2pc population is living below the poverty line, many poor but meritorious students are qualified enough to seek admission to any university of the world, but they cannot afford the huge amount of fees.

All over the world, universities invite aspirants to come and get higher education. They provide them loans and scholarships but in Pakistan universities are busy in money-making tactics.

Owing to this the financial dilemma many meritorious students prefer to earn in their early age instead of seeking admission to a university because their education can become a burden on their families.

I request chancellors of all private universities and the education department to keep a check on heavy fees in order to provide a relief to poor students who have an equal right to education in the best universities.

We can solve the problems of this country only through education, and these poor but deserving students are the real asset of Pakistan.

Marriyam Fayyaz

Lahore

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2014