BAJAUR: The prolonged delay in launch of four-year BS programme in the lone degree college for girls in Bajaur has shattered the dreams of local students to get higher education.

Students, their parents and political workers told this scribe that the management of Government Girls Degree College Khar was yet to launch BS programme in the institution despite the fact that the course had been approved by University of Malakand about eight years ago.

They said that the prolonged delay in launch of the programme was not only depriving thousands of local girl students of getting higher education but it was also a violation of government’s policy to promote female education in the province, especially in merged districts.

“I have been waiting for the launch of BS programme in the college for the last three years,” said Salma Bibi, a resident of Khar who passed FA examination from the said college some three years ago.

Staffer cites shortage of teachers as main reason of delay

Sadia Bibi, a resident of Salarzai, told this scribe that she had been waiting for getting in the programmes for about two years. “It is my dream to get enrolled in the college again but this time in one of my desired subjects home economics or international relation in the BS programmes for which I have been waiting since 2022,” she added.

She said that some of her classmates were married off by their parents while waiting for launch of BS programmes in the collage. She added that her parents had also decided to marry off her if she could not get enrolled in the college till August next.

The parents of several girl students said that like residents of other parts of the country, they also wanted their daughters to get higher education in their native district.

“I have a great desire that my daughter becomes a CSS or PMS officer or at least a lecturer. Unfortunately inordinate delay in launch of BS programme in the college is shattering my dream,” said Abdul Haq, a resident of Khar.

Bahadar Said, president of All Bajaur Private Schools Association, said that he was shocked to know that BS programme was not launched in the college. He said that it was tantamount to deprive local girls of their right to education.

Habib Hassan Yad, a right activist, told this correspondent that the college had been upgraded to degree level nine years ago. However, he said that absence of BS programme meant that the college was not upgraded properly.

A senior staffer of the college, when contacted, said that shortage of teachers was the major cause of delay in launching of the programme. She said that the college started BS Botany and Islamiat in 2017 but no student was interested in studying those subjects.

Published in Dawn, April 16th, 2024