THE governor of Balochistan recently issued a notification withdrawing the BS programme from degree colleges in the province. The notification lamented the dwindling admissions to universities that have declined since the introduction of the programme at degree colleges. It also voiced concern over the corresponding decline in revenues of public-sector universities. In a province where poverty rate hovers above 70 per cent and access to tertiary education is as low as around 10pc, the decision is in the wrong direction.

A few years ago, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) had axed BA and MA degree programmes, making way for the BS programme. Such an approach betrays the cutoff that our policy-makers and decision-makers have with respect to the gruelling ground reality. In Balochistan, only 11 public-sector universities are catering to an area of about 350,000 square kilometres.

The only alternative to a university for the masses used to be the degree colleges.However, that alternative has now been completely taken away from the masses.

Instead of withdrawing BS degree programmes on the sole basis of revenue shortages in universities, the government should curb corruption, provide qualified staff in colleges, and show with due action that it is a government for the people.

Muhammad Ily as Mandokhail Zhob