KARACHI, Aug 22: The Catholic Board of Education has not been informed officially about the government's decision pertaining to denationalization of two city colleges - St Patrick's and St Joseph's - and handing them over to it.

The Sindh cabinet had on July 28 decided to denationalize the St Joseph's College for Women and the St Patrick's College; the two colleges were nationalized in the early 70s.

Talking to a group of ex-students of the St Joseph's college, former principal of the college, Sister Mary Emily, said the Catholic Board of Education was waiting for the government's letter regarding handing back the colleges.

According to a member of the group, expressing support to the decision of the government, the ex-students in question also expressed concerned over the delay in the issuance of the official notification on the matter.

A source in the Sindh education department said the department could process the case of denationalization only after receiving the approved minutes of the cabinet's meeting in question.

As per the set criteria of denationalization, the Catholic board, which had approached the education department for denationalization of the two colleges and shown interest in owning them, would first be asked to establish their claims to the colleges and then fulfil other relevant clauses, added the source.

The Sindh cabinet has already waived the condition of golden handshake for teaching and non-teaching employees in the case of the denationalization of St Joseph's and St Patrick's, which was supposed to be borne by the private parties. The Catholic board has offered to retain 75 per cent of the staff for a period of three years, it was learnt further.