Dr Khan Zeb
The commencement of Bachelor of Studies (BS) programs in the colleges of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has brought drastic changes in the education sector of the province, since the past decade. Pakistan Higher Education Commission (HEC) replaced the two years bachelor’s and master’s programs with four-year bachelor’s programs/BS nationwide. The introduction of the BS programs has impacted educational institutions at both levels (college and university). Earlier, bachelor’s degree (2 years) were persuaded at colleges and master’s degrees (2 years) at universities. In the light of HEC policy BS programs are initiated in the colleges along with universities.
To address the gap created by abolishing the two-year BA/BSc program, colleges have adopted the BS programs, following the lead of universities. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, initially introduced as a pilot project in 93 colleges in April 2011, the BS program (2 years and 4 years- Associate Degree and Bachelor of Studies respectively) was later extended to all colleges of the province in 2020. However, many institutions lacked the required infrastructure and resources to effectively implement the policy and hence the program was not stated or was limited to two years associate degree program. Subsequent attempts in 2023 to extend the BS program to remaining institutions, encounter similar challenges, especially in the periphery colleges and are continued with associate degree programs.
The introduction of the BS program at the colleges is a welcome move to increase higher education opportunities for students, particularly in areas where universities do not exist or are inaccessible due to geographical or financial constraints. The programs at colleges are highly affordable (in terms of accessibility and fees) compared to universities. The public sector universities were overcrowded and some students quit education due to failure to get admission in the desired program or could not afford financial costs (fees, accommodation etc). Hence, the burden on universities is reduced which could not provide admission and hostel facilities to all aspirants. At the same time, universities’ admission has been negatively affected by the introduction of BS at colleges.
The BS program aims to broaden students’ knowledge, understanding and comprehension in the specific subject area. This semester-based program regularly engages students and teachers in learning activities- incorporating classroom lectures, laboratory work, quizzes, assignments, exams and feedback, and fieldwork in some discipline areas. The program is intended to produce productive and skilled youth which can contribute to national development. Additionally, the purpose of extension (of BS) to the colleges was to provide higher education opportunities at the doorstep to unprivileged classes of society.
Despite its benefits, the program faces structural, methodological, and infrastructural challenges at the colleges. These include a lack of well-trained and research-oriented (MPhil, PhD) faculty, inadequate administrative staff, lack of physical space, and insufficient facilities, including chairs, tables, lab equipment, updated libraries, and functional computer laboratories to meet the needs. Without these resources the goals/purpose of BS program cannot be achieved.
Additionally, the central transfer and posting policy negatively impacts students’ learning processes, such as the transfer of teachers in the midst of the semester. The transfer policy should be student-centric and prior approval [of faculty transfer] from the respective college’s principal will save students from the worst consequences.
Given the increased workload associated with BS programs, colleges require a substantial number of new faculty. Despite this, in some colleges BS programs were initiated with only one regular faculty member, for instance, BS Chemistry at Government Degree College Tank and AD Political Science at Ammakhel College Tank. The recent directive to discontinue these programs, rather than addressing the underlying issue of understaffing, has exacerbated the problem. In addition to faculty shortages, college faculty members are overburdened with administrative responsibilities like controller of examination, coordinator, quality enhancement officer/focal person, etc., that divert their attention and energy away from teaching. To effectively fulfil these administrative duties, dedicated officers should be assigned to liaise with universities and the higher education department.
The catalyst of change (BS program) in the higher education encounters some structural barrier. To address these barriers/challenges, a holistic approach involving all stakeholders is required to meet the immediate and long-term demands of the colleges. A bottom-up approach, from colleges to regional/central directorates and secretariats, can facilitate the successful implementation of the BS policy. Decentralized decision-making and the provision of necessary resources are essential for the program’s success. For instance, the centralized decision-making to start a new BS program at college overlooks the local dynamic and needs. Central authorities approve or disapprove proposals without providing reasons for (dis)approval or directives to address the deficiencies. Decisions to launch or terminate BS programs are apparently influenced by individual(s) preferences. For instance, in Fall 2023, during the peak of the admissions process, all Associate Degree (AD) programs were terminated in non-BS colleges. Simultaneously, colleges were mandated to submit proposals for launching Bachelor’s Degree program(s). Despite verbal assurances of providing faculty and resources for the new BS program from the higher education department, these verbal promises were not fulfilled. Adding to the instability, a recent directive has ordered the closure of all BS programs with one or fewer regular faculty members. These rapid and inconsistent changes underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive BS program policy that considers financial, human, and other essential resources required for program sustainability.
In conclusion, while the BS program offers numerous benefits, its implementation requires careful consideration of local dynamics, resource allocation, and stakeholder engagement to ensure its success and sustainability.
The writer can be reached at [email protected]