KARACHI, Sept 5: The education department has directed the principals of all government-run colleges in the province to strictly follow departmental rules and regulations and curb activities at colleges premises, which violate sanctity of educational institutes.

In a letter addressed to principals of all government-run colleges, Provincial Education Manager (Colleges) Sindh stated it had been observed that some commercial organizations were using the premises of government colleges for promotion of their products, like shampoos, soaps, cosmetic etc.

These activities violate the sanctity of the educational institutions as well as result in wastage of precious time of teachers and students. No such activities would be allowed in the premises of any college and in case of request by any individual or organization, the principals might advise them to contact the Provincial Education Manager, the letter said.

The education manager said it had also come to his notice that in some colleges, uniforms, shoes and stationary items were also being sold by some officers/officials of the college administration that was violation of government rules and instructions.

Serious complaints were received that relatives of some officers/officials were operating shops within the campus, he said, adding uniforms and articles of some particular pattern, not available in the market, were being prescribed and students were forced to purchase them from particular shops, which should be immediately be stopped.

He said in some colleges, extra amount was being charged from students in different heads and directed that any fees, charges, donation, contribution or any other amount through business/selling activities directly or indirectly should not be collected from students without the prior approval of the competent authority.

Those who were found guilty to such practices would be dealt with seriously under the disciplinary rules.

In order to improve the academic environment of the colleges, all principals were advised to utilize private funds available under different heads in their colleges i.e. CMC, MOB welfare funds etc after observing all codal formalities under intimation to his office.

Regarding admissions in colleges under Centralized Admission Policy (CAP), he said that it had been complained that in some colleges, clerical staff was indulging in fraudulent admissions in violation of CAP policy.

“All the principals are advised to be vigilant throughout the process of admission so that no deviation from the norms is made,” he said, adding those found involved in this practice would be proceeded against under SRO 2000, as amended from time to time.—PPI/APP