Islamabad: A wave of discontent is building in Islamabad’s colleges for boys as students protested the decision of the Federal Directorate of Education to discontinue several Bachelor of Studies and Associate Degree Programmes.
The move, which officials attribute to low enrollment, has sparked anger among the students and teachers, who say it will deprive underprivileged youth of their only affordable path to higher education.
The protest began at Islamabad Model Postgraduate College H-8, where a large number of students staged a demonstration against the closure of programmes.
Teachers also joined the protest in solidarity, expressing concern over the shrinking educational opportunities for students in the federal capital. According to the sources, similar demonstrations are likely to be organised at other colleges in the coming days.
Students at H-8 College carried placards and chanted slogans against FDE’s policies. They also demanded the immediate restoration of the programmes, warning that the academic futures of the capital’s students were at stake.
“Most students come from poor backgrounds, so government colleges are their only chance to continue their studies. With these programmes gone, many students will be forced to abandon their education,” said a protesting student.
Earlier, the FDE issued instructions to several institutions to halt admissions in certain BS and ADP streams.
IMCB H-9 lost its BS Physics and BS Islamic Studies programmes, leaving only Computer Science available for the students.
IMPC H-8 was forced to discontinue its BS Geography and ADP streams, offering only English and Mathematics.
At IMCB F-10/4, no BS admissions are being allowed this year, despite the college’s previous record of running BS English and Urdu. In rural Islamabad, the closure of the Associate Degree Programme at IMCB Sihala has particularly affected local students, who now have no nearby options for higher education.
Teachers and educationists have criticised the decision as hasty and damaging. An associate professor called the move a reflection of flawed policy.
“Courses take time to gain traction. Instead of strengthening them, the FDE is shutting them down , wasting years of effort and significant public funds. The closure will force students to either seek admission in costly private universities in Islamabad or travel to Rawalpindi, where public colleges still offer these programmes. For many low-income families, both options are unrealistic. It’s simply unfair," he said.
The educator strongly criticised the FDE for “shutting the doors of education on poor students who cannot afford alternatives”.