LAHORE: The Punjab government on Wednesday directed officials of all public sector universities, including vice chancellors, not to attend any meeting convened on higher education in the post-18th Amendment scenario.

A notification issued by Deputy Secretary (Universities) Muhammad Tayyab Zia states: “It is informed that the issue of determination of role of federal Higher Education Commission, provincial Higher Education Commission/provincial governments pertaining to higher education in the aftermath of the 18th Amendment is under discussion in the Council of Common Interests (CCIs), wherein the Punjab government has furnished its views/comments after approval from the chief minister. I am directed to advise that under no circumstances any officer of a public sector university of Punjab or any official may make/furnish any statement on this issue, at any forum, or attend any official proceeding without seeking formal approval in writing from the chancellor/ government.”

Notification issued a day ahead of meet in Lahore

It further states that “the above mentioned directions are to be followed in true letter and spirit.”

The [federal] Higher Education Commission (HEC) had convened a meeting of the vice chancellors of all public sector universities of the country in Lahore on Thursday (Jan 4) for consultation over the role of the federal and provincial HECs.

HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed told Dawn that he did not know why the Punjab government had stopped the vice chancellors from attending the consultation.

He said the [Punjab] government earlier had decided the role of the HEC.

“We just called the vice chancellors for consultation and to get their input,” he said.

The chairman said the Punjab government should not make an issue of it as VCs and HEC were not going to decide anything.

He said he would discuss the matter with the provincial government authorities.

A VC on condition of anonymity told this reporter that the provincial HEC had started operating and the Punjab government thought it did not need the federal HEC.

He said the provincial authorities were focusing on developing their own strength by giving and getting total autonomy in health and education.

However, he was of the view that the provincial authorities should not go against the federal HEC completely and should accept its role [of watchdog].

He said all the provinces were establishing their HECs and without a [federal] watchdog who would maintain the standard in education.

Giving an example, he said, some of the provinces and universities were following semester system and some were offering master degree after four and some in two years. “A centralised system can bring about uniformity in the education sector.”

The vice chancellor said the federal government was providing funds to universities through the HEC; even the Punjab University was getting Rs3 billion annually.

“If the HEC stops funding to the PU, how will the provincial government give salaries and pension,” he said.

Published in Dawn, January 4th, 2018