PRIVATE-sector universities have been rightly criticised for their exorbitant fee structures. But things are not rosy in the public sector either. For many students, what once felt like a reachable goal now feels like a distant dream. The increasing cost of education in public universities, especially the University of Karachi, is deeply disturbing. As a student myself, I have witnessed how government institutions, once a source of hope for low- and middle-income students, have become unaffordable.

Not only has the semester fee gone up significantly, students are also forced to pay examination charges, attendance fines and other hidden costs. The most painful part is that there is no support system for families with more than one sibling enrolled in the same university. This makes it extremely difficult for such families to manage the cost of education even in a public setup.

While some financial aid options are available, most are through Zakat-based programmes, which many students cannot accept due to religious or personal reasons.

Additionally, most scholarships are merit-based, benefiting only students with high grades. This approach is deeply unfair to average students who may be struggling financially, but do not meet the strict grade point average (GPA) criteria.

The gap between private and public university fee is shrinking, not in terms of quality, but cost. The burden placed on students and their families is unjust and disheartening. Education is a right, not a luxury reserved only for the wealthy or the academic elite.

The authorities concerned should pay serious attention to this issue. There must be fair, trasparent and inclusive financial support policies, like sibling concessions, need-based assistance, and opportunities for all deserving students; not just high achievers. Let us not turn education into an unreachable dream.

Misbah Salahuddin
Karachi

Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2025