HED relocation raises concerns among stakeholders

LAHORE:Once a centralised hub of higher education administration in Punjab, the Higher Education Department (HED) now finds its sections and wings spread far and wide in the provincial metropolis.

After the department was uprooted from its traditional home in the Punjab Civil Secretariat, its relocation sadly did not entail a simple shift to a new building. Instead, the department's various sections and wings have been scattered across different locations, creating a fragmented landscape that has raised concerns among the stakeholders.

Presently, the department is operational in four different locations, including Govt Kulliyat-ul-Banat Associate College, Lake Road, Poonch Road near Chauburji, DPI (Colleges) Office, New Anarkali and Exam Centre of the Board of Intermediate & Secondary Education (BISE) Lahore on Lawrence Road.

It is pertinent to mention that besides around 900 public sector colleges in the province, nine Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISEs) are working under the umbrella of the department while over 70 public / private sector universities are also operating under the supervision of HED Punjab.

One of the most significant impacts of the new scattered setup has been on the public sector colleges and universities associated with the department. The teaching and non-teaching staff of these institutions now face the challenge of navigating a complex web of locations to access the resources and support they need.

This has not only disrupted their workflow but has also raised questions about the department's ability to provide timely and effective guidance. A college teacher, seeking anonymity, said he wanted to apply for ex-Pakistan leave and was wondering which of the four locations he was supposed to approach.

Another teacher said she wanted to apply to seek permission for admission to MPhil programme but was unable to comprehend which location she should visit. Similarly, an employee of the department, requesting anonymity, said that with vital functions now dispersed, the once cohesive entity was struggling to maintain its efficiency and effectiveness.

The department's official website continues to display its address as located within the Punjab Civil Secretariat. One potential solution could involve updating the website to reflect the current situation, providing detailed information about the various wings and sections now operating from different locations.

This would at least help visitors to locate the appropriate office for addressing their concerns. The News could not reach Secretary HED Punjab despite repeated attempts on his cell phone. The officer also didn't reply to a message sent in this regard.