Islamabad: Quaid-i-Azam University's abrupt decision to implement a staggering 135 per cent fee hike for ICT-affiliated college students has triggered a wave of outrage and concern. The fee increase, set to take effect in the fall of 2023, has left many students and their families in dire financial straits, further exacerbating the ongoing economic crisis and soaring inflation in the country.
The fee hike, which particularly affects students pursuing Associate Degree Programmes (ADP) and Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees, is nothing short of a financial shock. The examination fees for these students have surged from Rs2480 per semester to a staggering Rs5832. Late fees, double fees, and triple fees have seen significant increases as well, creating an overwhelming financial burden for many.
In addition to these fee hikes, the university has raised its registration fee by 91%, from Rs5250 to Rs10,000, and introduced a new facilitation charge of Rs2500 per student. In a particularly distressing development, repeaters/compartment cases now face a fee of Rs1500 per subject, whereas it was previously nil. Special examination fees have also been introduced, amounting to Rs11664. The impact of these fee hikes has been deeply felt by students and their families, who are already grappling with economic hardships. Muhammad Aslam, working two jobs to support his family, expressed his distress, saying, "This increase in fees is just like a bomb on my head. I have no choice but to discontinue my daughter's studies."
Sadia, a widow and domestic worker, shared her concerns, stating, "The new fees are unaffordable for me. I have to feed my four children and already have barely enough money to cover my eldest daughter's fees. How can I survive?" An anonymous Associate Professor at Islamabad College for Boys G-6/3 pointed out the stark disparity in fees between colleges in provinces and those in the capital. Students in provincial colleges pay between Rs5,000 to 10,000 per semester, while fees in capital colleges have now soared to over Rs30,000, highlighting a substantial inequity.
Students and parents, alarmed by the fee increase, have passionately urged the government to reconsider. They emphasize the importance of accessible education, especially during these challenging times. They have called on Education Minister Madad Ali Sindhi to intervene and revert the decision of Quaid-i-Azam University, to ensure that education remains within reach for all aspiring students.