ISLAMABAD: The Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) has decided to stop further admissions to the BS programme in seven subjects being offered in various colleges due to the fewer number of students.

An official of the FDE said the BS programme had been started without having sufficient students.

A few days ago, the FDE directed some of the colleges where there were only a few students to stop admissions from the next semester.

“At H-8 College, only six students were enrolled in the four-year BS geography programme last year. In F-10/4 College, the BS Urdu programme was started only for four students,” said the official. However, he said the already enrolled students will continue their studies and in case of a need they will be shifted to other colleges.

Decision taken as few students show interest in these subjects, official says

The official said H-8 College had been directed not to enroll new students for the geography programme while students enrolled in the BS English programme at the the college (in semester two and four) shall be shifted to the Islamabad Model College for Girls F-7/4 and the girl students of the sixth semester to the ICG, F-6/2.

The official said the directorate had decided to phase out the BS Urdu programme at F-10/4 College while students of BS English at the college will be shifted to the H-8 College. Similarly, the BS in Islamic Studies at the H-9 College will also be phased out.

The students of BS mathematics and commerce at the ICB College G-6 will be shifted to H-9 and the Commerce College, respectively.

When contacted, a senior officer of the FDE said the decision will be implemented from the next semester. He said the decision was taken to save finances, adding: “It is illogical for starting the four-year BS programme for only four and five students.”

He said some teachers were trying to politicise the decision, “which we made in the best interest of the colleges and the FDE as teachers will be utilised to focus on teaching of their subjects in the first and second years.”

He said the FDE was also planning to make a policy under which there should be no BS programme without having at least 30 students.

Meanwhile, a representative of the Federal Government College Teacher Association said efforts should be made to increase enrollment.

“H-8 College is a public college and the authorities should make a social and cost-benefit analysis before shutting the door of education on students,” he added.

Published in Dawn, September 22nd, 2021