RAWALPINDI: Hashmat Ali Islamia Degree College Rawalpindi is seeking the education department’s attention to fill its five teaching positions.

The positions have been vacant for several years, causing problems for the students. At present 800 students are studying in the college.

The vacancies include a physical education position, which has been vacant since 2006.

“In the absence of a physical education teacher, who will keep the students physically and mentally healthy,” a lecturer, who wished not to be named, told Dawn.

He said almost 30 per cent of the students leave college because they were unable to handle their studies.

The college used to offer an intermediate physical education course, but is unable to continue the lessons without a specialist instructor.

The post of associate English professor has also been vacant for two years, along with one economics and two commerce teaching positions.

College Director Professor Humayun Iqbal told Dawn that in the absence of regular staff, internee teachers have been hired.

“I have taken up the issue with higher authorities and hope the college will soon have permanent staff,” he added.