A LOT of parents were shocked recently when their children studying at a private university in Karachi were asked to pay Rs16,000 as convocation fee for the award of the degree. Nobody had the option to simply take the degree from the admin office and skip the convocation; the fee had to be paid. Can the Higher Education Commission (HEC), the regulatory body, enlighten the parents what exactly is it regulating? Truly, there is no check at all on the list of unfair charges these private universities keep slapping the parents with.

The HEC should realise that most parents are already under severe economic burden having to pay hefty amounts to such universities so that their children may complete their education. As such, any additional charge adds to that burden, making it unbearable. Besides, what is the logic behind imposing a convocation fee?

Name withheld on request
Karachi

Published in Dawn, March 1st, 2024