KARACHI, Nov 30: Government-run institutes imparting technical education in Karachi are transforming into an excellent example of authorities’ neglect, as unavailability of required funds, absence of qualified teachers, lack of scientific equipment and labs are compelling students to opt for private institutions offering better education.
The number of students enrolled at the city’s technical institutions has started declining and academicians associated with these institutions fear that if the government’s neglect towards technical education persists, students will stop getting enrolled at these institutions for acquiring technical education, which would result in the closure of these institutes.
Experts believe that despite tall claims and pledges by the education department and the directorate of technical education, technical institutes seemed to be the most neglected area in Karachi.
All public sector technical institutes, which were renowned in the past, including the Govt College of Technology (GCT), Jamia Millia Technical College, Govt Saify Technical College and Jinnah Polytechnic Institute, are now in shambles owing to the negligence of the 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 the authorities had promised to arrange the same, he added.
“The students and teachers were informed that negotiations were under way with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to finance the construction of labs, maintenance of building and hiring of qualified faculty, but despite the passage of more than one year, no improvement is seen,” he went on.
The same is the condition of the Govt Polytechnic Institute of Lyari, once one of the most prestigious polytechnic institutes in the country.
The works division of the education department has 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 collapsing,” 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