TOBA TEK SINGH: The Govt Farid Bakhsh Ghousia Science Degree College requires a new building, teachers and funds for smooth functioning.

It was set up in 1908 as a primary school by a philanthropist, the late Dr Farid Bakhsh, on his own land at Chak 333-GB outside Pirmahal. It was upgraded to the status of a degree college in 1987.

From 1926 to 1947 it was one of few high schools in vast area of central Punjab which had the boarding facility for its students.

Principal Chaudhry Basharat Javed and Vice Principal Nisar Ahmad told Dawn that there was a shortage of classrooms and furniture in the college as no funds were released for construction of its new building since it was upgraded from intermediate to degree level in 1987.

Most of the teachers were forced to give lectures in the open, they said, adding that the college needed at least four classroom blocks, four laboratories, an auditorium, water tank, water filtration plant and bicycle and motorcycle stands. They said at least 13 lecturers were needed for the college besides two buses to provide transport facility to students. The government was repeatedly requested for funds for the uplift of the college but in vain, they complained.

The college convocation will be held in March to celebrate 105 years of its foundation.