KARACHI, July 31: The process of admissions to first year classes of all faculties in the government city colleges will commence from August 1 with sale of admission forms and brochures through designated bank branches.

Talking to Dawn on Saturday, Prof Mohammad Rais Alvi, the executive district officer (higher education) of the city government of Karachi, said that since the matriculation examination results of general and science groups had been declared by the educational board, the admission committee had decided to open the admission process to avoid any further delay.

He said that 40 HBL branches would issue the admission packet, containing the brochure and admission forms, to students on payment of Rs75 from August 1 to 10. The students aspiring admissions are required to submit back the duly filled admission forms, along with required documents, at the bank branches till August 10.

At the time of taking forms from the banks, students would not be required to produce their respective mark sheets, but submission of a copy of mark sheet along with the application forms is a must, he added.

To a question, he said that in case of any delay in the issuance of mark sheets to the candidates of SSC Science group examinations, the admission committee could extend the dates for submission of forms for them only.

He said that arrangements had been made to offer admissions to all applicants, irrespective of their grades, and no students would be deprived of admission.

For 96,000 fresh matriculates (regular and private) of the Karachi board and other qualified students, the colleges and higher secondary schools of Karachi have 82,000 seats in the faculties of science, humanities, commerce, general science and home economics.

Due to the denationalization of three colleges, including St Joseph’s College for Women, it is likely that the demand for admission to other colleges, including PECHS, Khatoon-i-Pakistan, St Lawrence, Frere Road and Chand Bibi Road colleges would increase considerably as not all the meritorious students would like to opt for private college education which costs more than what the students pay at the government educational institutions, said a senior college teacher.

According to the admission policy of the city government, admissions to the government colleges and higher secondary schools shall be granted to those students who have passed their SSC/Technical Examination/ GCEO Level or its equivalent examination in the annual examination 2005 or supplementary examination 2004.

The students having Computer Science in Class IX and Technical Board are not eligible for admission in pre-medical group. The particulars of the candidates placed for admissions will be verified from his or her original marks sheet before issuance of the college admission forms.

After placement and other exercise, the college administration will issue challan or voucher pertaining to fees and funds to students. The science and home economics groups’ students are required to pay Rs950, while those of the commerce and humanities group should pay Rs770.