KARACHI: The Sindh ombudsman on Monday directed the provincial government to launch an inquiry and take action against a private educational institution for “jeopardising the career of students” by deciding to discontinue its four-year degree course of BSc in food sciences just after two years on grounds of “falling revenue”.

The decision from the Sindh ombudsman, many believe, would serve as a precedent in protecting rights of students and their parents mainly at private educational institutions where unilateral decisions by the respective managements often bring multiple challenges, including financial, for them.

“Ajaz Ali Khan, Ombudsman Sindh has directed the Secretary, Sindh Higher Education Commission and Chairman, Chartered Inspection & Evaluation Committee, HEC, to hold enquiry, take appropriate legal action against Dadabhoy Institute of Higher Education for jeopardising the career of students on the ground of financial losses and take immediate steps so that no private institution / university in future should arbitrarily decide the fate of students,” said a statement issued after the decision.

“The orders were passed on the complaint filed by Ms Rida Nazeer and other students in April 2021 alleging that management of Dadabhoy Institute of Higher Education arbitrarily decided to discontinue the four-year degree course of BSc Program in Food & Sciences Technology, after two years, after compelling them to sign the consent forms for transfer to other institutions though they were allowed admissions for a degree program of four years. They, therefore, solicited intervention for securing their academic career.”

The educational institution abandoned a four-year course after two years citing financial losses

The complaint, it said, was admitted and taken up with the authorities concerned. In response, Dadabhoy Institute of Higher Education in its reports while admitting the facts stated that due to a low number of admissions and falling revenue on account of not achieving the target of admission of at least 50 students, it was decided by the committee to close the programme, however, efforts were being made to transfer or accommodate the students in other universities, it added.

“The Sindh HEC was also of the view that though the Institute was facing difficulties in continuing the program due to falling revenue proceeds, it was required to serve the interest of the students and education, so that they did not suffer and that Dadabhoy Institute was also bound to ensure either to continue teaching remaining courses or get these students properly transferred or admitted in any of the other universities offering the said course.”

The investigation, the statement added, established that the institute discontinued the offered programme after two years, on the ground of falling revenue, without considering the interest of the students and thus violated the provisions of law.

The Sindh ombudsman directed the secretary, Sindh Higher Education Commission, and the chairman, Chartered Inspection & Evaluation Committee, HEC to hold an inquiry and take appropriate legal action against the institute for jeopardising the career of students on account of financial losses and also take immediate steps so that no private institution or university should arbitrarily decide the fate of students just on the basis of monetary losses.

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2021