After privatizing nearly 1,500 schools earlier this year, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government is now preparing to hand over the management of 55 public sector colleges to the private sector. The move, aimed at improving performance and addressing long-standing challenges, has already sparked debate among educators and policymakers.
According to a list compiled by the Higher Education Department (HED), the largest share of colleges under consideration comes from Dera Ismail Khan — the home district of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Governor Faisal Karim Kundi — where seven colleges are included.
Swabi, represented by Provincial Education Minister Faisal Tarakai, has six colleges on the list. Five colleges each from South Waziristan and Karak, four from Bannu and Battagram, and three from Orakzai are also marked for privatization.
Smaller numbers are listed from Abbottabad, Haripur, Mansehra, Nowshera, Kurram, Shangla, and Kohistan (two each), while Peshawar, Hangu, Lower Dir, Malakand, North Waziristan, and FR Tank each have one college included.
Government’s Rationale
Secretary Higher Education Kamran Afridi explained that no final decision has yet been taken, but the initiative is considered to be the part of efforts to “increase the capacity” of struggling institutions.
He said colleges with fewer than 500 students, staff shortages, or security challenges were being identified. Many of these institutions have extremely low enrollments — sometimes only double digits — and, in some cases, “bogus admissions” that exist only on paper.
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Afridi clarified that no teachers would lose their jobs. Instead, faculty would be transferred to nearby institutions facing staff shortages. He also highlighted those 3,086 new teaching positions are awaiting cabinet approval, which could ease the pressure.
Teachers’ Concerns
The plan, however, has captivated resistance from educators. Abdul Hameed Afridi, President of the Professors, Lecturers, and Librarians Association, said teachers had raised some of the concerns with Higher Education Minister Meena Khan Afridi, who assured that their concerns would be considered.
He kept on arguing that most government colleges in KP have a strong track record, with students excelling in competitive exams despite resource challenges.
Instead of privatization, he said, the government should be capable of resolving the core issues of faculty shortages, infrastructure gaps, and security risks. “Without addressing these problems, how can privatization guarantee better results?” he asked.