Public sector Punjab universities are seeing a sharp decline in student admissions this year. The drop has raised concerns among educators and policymakers about the future of higher education in the province.
According to the Punjab Higher Education Department, enrollment in undergraduate, MPhil, and PhD programs has decreased by 20% to 30% in many institutions. Larger Punjab universities, including Punjab University Lahore, Government College University Faisalabad, and Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, have reported fewer admissions than expected.
Smaller universities in cities such as Dera Ghazi Khan, Sahiwal, and Narowal are struggling even more. Many of them are unable to fill seats in popular degree programs, reflecting a deepening crisis in accessibility and interest.
Experts believe several factors are contributing to the drop. Economic challenges, rising living costs, and outdated academic offerings are making it harder for students to justify higher education. In many cases, university degrees no longer match the needs of the job market.
Prof. Dr. Munawar Sabir, former chairman of the Geography Department at Punjab University, called the trend “deeply concerning.” He pointed out that, for many families, even public education is becoming unaffordable due to costs related to transport, hostels, and books.
Educationists are urging Punjab universities to update their programs, align degrees with market demands, and offer better financial support to students. Without meaningful reforms, experts warn that the decline in admissions could worsen in the coming years.
The situation has sparked debate within academic circles about the sustainability of public sector universities and the urgent need for policy reform in Punjab’s higher education system.
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