LAHORE, Jan 26: No education institution in Punjab will be allowed to operate without getting NOC from the (provincial) government.

The decision has been taken by the government in the light of the Higher Education Commission’s recommendations. The degrees issued by over 100 educational institutions functioning unlawfully in Punjab have no worth or legal status as these are not recognized by the HEC.

Punjab Education Minister Imran Masood told Dawn on Thursday that illegal campuses would be closed down and only those institutions would be allowed to operate having the Punjab government’s NOC.

As many as 109 educational institutions operating unlawfully in Punjab have been fleecing students without any check and hindrance for years.

The HEC, through advertisements already published in national dailies this week, have warned parents not to send their children in these institution as they (students) may face subsequent problems in procurement of jobs.

Sources in the education department said that the HEC earlier had also asked the Punjab government to take action against illegal institutions, but no serious effort was initiated in this regard.