KARACHI, Sept 1: Public sector educational institutes imparting technical education in Karachi have become an excellent example of authorities’ neglect, as unavailability of required funds, absence of qualified teachers, lack scientific equipment and labs are compelling students to select private institutions offering better education.
The number of students enrolled at city’s technical institutions has started declining and academicians associated with these institutions fear that if government’s neglect towards technical education persists, students would stop getting enrolled at these institutions for acquiring technical education, which would result in closure of these institutes.
Experts believe that despite tall claims and pledges by the education department and directorate of technical education, the technical institutes seemed to be the most neglected area in Karachi.
All public sector technical institutes, which were renowned in the past, including the Government College of Technology (GCT), SITE; Jamia Millia Technical College; Govt Saify Technical College and Jinnah Polytechnic Institute, are now in shambles owing to the negligence of authorities.
The Government College of Technology, SITE, is facing acute shortage of laboratories and equipment for conducting practical exams. Besides due to lack of qualified faculty, the college can hardly maintain the standard of education.
“At present, the authorities are providing 50 paisas per student for laboratory works in each period. The institution also lacks qualified faculty, who can assist students in performing practical works,” a GCT faculty member said.
Despite being disaffiliated by the NED University of Engineering and Technology for absence of laboratories and qualified faculty, the GCT administration failed to acquire ample funds to run the institution, although authorities had promised to arrange the same, he added.
“Students and leftover teachers were informed that negotiations were underway with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to finance the construction of labs, maintenance of building and hiring of qualified faculty,” he said while adding that despite passage of more than one year, nothing has been improved.
The same is the condition of Govt Polytechnic Institute of Lyari, which was once the most prestigious of the polytechnic institutes in the country.
The works division of education department also failed to adequately maintain the GPI buildings and other infrastructure.
“One can find big cracks in almost all the walls of the college building. Some of the walls are in danger of falling over,” a faculty member said.
Owing to a cash crunch, the education department also cut the funds for laboratory works at various technical institutions, including Govt Saify Edizahabi Institute of Technology; Jinnah Polytechnic Institute; Swedish Technical Institute, Landhi; Technical Training Centre, Hyderi; and Jamia Millia Polytechnic Institute, Malir.—PPI