KARACHI, Jan 29: President Pervez Musharraf has expressed concern over declining education standards at public-sector varsities and colleges and directed all four provincial governors to take steps for provision of quality education to students.

A letter by the president, addressed to the governors, who are also the chancellors of public-sector varsities in their respective provinces, was readout at a meeting, attended by vice-chancellor, Karachi University, Dr Pirzada Qasim, deans of all KU faculties, heads of various departments and KU's research institutes directors on Thursday.

In his letter, the president asked the chancellors to direct varsities' vice-chancellors to hold seminars, conferences, summer and refresher courses for both students and teachers and maintain merit and discipline at the varsities.

Later, Dr Pirzada, while speaking to varsity deans and heads of various departments, said teachers should assist the varsity administration in holding seminars and conferences after regular intervals on various literary, social and scientific topics.

He asked the deans to ensure 75 per cent attendance by the students before allowing them to appear in semester examinations and also directed them to prepare plans for language classes and summer courses for students.

He accepted the suggestion regarding the annual best teacher's award at KU. To the complaints regarding paucity of space at various departments' buildings, due to large number of students, and inadequate grants for purchase of lab equipment and chemicals, the VC said these problems would be resolved on priority basis.

New syllabi: On the recommendations of its academic council, University of Karachi, on Thursday approved revised English (compulsory) syllabus for academic session, 2004, for first year students of BA, BSc (Pass), Bcom and BSc (Home Economics) and English (Optional) for the first and second year students of BA (Pass).