Exorbitant fees deprive capital students of higher education

The exorbitant fee structure of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) colleges in comparison to the provinces in Pakistan has made it difficult for the students of low-income groups to afford to acquire higher education, reports APP.

According to an official source, the fee structure of a four-year BS programme and associate degree programme of ICT colleges is beyond the means and paying capacity of the parents of the students. The students are charged fees ranging from PKR19,100 (US$121) to PKR22,100 in the first semester, while in the subsequent semesters it is around PKR15,000. The provinces, which generally have less resources, are charging a very affordable fee which is 400% less than the ICT colleges.

The crisis for low-grade and low-paid government employees living in and across the capital has further deepened as they are compelled to send their children to villages located under the jurisdiction of Punjab, adding the hassle of commuting to far-flung Rawalpindi vicinities.
Full report on The News International site