KARACHI, July 22: The Sindh Education department has decided to suspend the collection of information technology fees from students of government colleges for the time being.

According to the executive district officer (Higher Education) of the city government, Prof M Rais Alvi, the education department has directed not to charge Rs500 (IT fee for one year) from students of class XII till further orders.

He said any decision regarding collection of the said fee from students of first year would be taken at the meeting of the steering committee, Sindh Education department, some time later. By the time students were admitted to class XI, the steering committee would have completed its review process pertaining to IT education in colleges, he pointed out.

According to sources in the education department, the government had decided not to collect IT fees from students last year as well, but majority of students paid the fee, as principals were not clear on the issue.

Now the district officer education (colleges) had been asked to circulate the latest government decision among principals and related quarters.

Following the federal government's decision, the Sindh government had introduced IT as compulsory subject at intermediate level in colleges about three years back. However, in view of its failure to supply required and adequate equipment and staff in all colleges, the government was unable to implement the subject on compulsory basis, added a source.

On the other hand, authorities at the city education department want to collect a certain amount as IT fee from students in order to maintain the existing computer laboratories.

About 85 per cent of the city colleges are having computers and laboratories, and if they were not allowed some amount for engaging lab attendants or meeting other requirements, it would be difficult for colleges to keep all those functional, said some college teachers.

It was further viewed that till the time the provincial government was not in a position to implement IT as a subject at all colleges, students should at least be encouraged to use the facility against nominal payment.