KARACHI, March 19: The Sindh Education Department has decided in principle to hand over two colleges to the St Patrick’s Catholic Board under its denationalization policy.

Sources in the Education Department said the representatives of the Catholic Board during a meeting on Tuesday were informed by the competent authorities that the Education Department had no objection to transfer the administration and premises of Joseph’s College for Women and St Patrick’s College in line with the government’s policy of denationalizing and transferring the nationalized educational institutions to the private sector.

It was learnt that the Catholic Board authorities had expressed willingness to get the control of the two colleges. However, they had sought certain clarifications on the employment of existing teaching and non-teaching staff.

The meeting was attended by Secretary Education, besides other high government officials, and representatives of the Catholic Board.

It was said that the private party had expressed its reservation over the golden handshake package planned for the teaching and non-teaching staff of the two colleges.

Under the policy of the government, the private party is required not to remove the existing staff at least for one year and thereafter it will be required to pay golden handshake to them.

Another meeting will be held next week in which both the sides will come up with financial strategies involved in the process of denationalization.