PESHAWAR: Once a symbol of academic excellence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the University of Peshawar (UoP) is now facing one of the worst admission crises in its history as rising tuition fees, administrative lapses, and student dissatisfaction drive applicants away.
Highlights
- Enrollment plummets as semester fee rises from Rs42,000 to Rs62,000.
- Students, parents decry “unjustified” fee hike and poor administration.
- Departments record single-digit admissions, sparking financial crisis.
Admissions across several departments have dropped sharply this year, with many prospective students opting for private universities and government colleges instead. According to students and parents, the main reason is the massive fee increase coupled with an “uncooperative attitude” from university staff.
The University of Peshawar recently raised semester fees by Rs10,000–Rs15,000, pushing the total from Rs42,000 to Rs62,000 — a jump that has triggered widespread criticism among students and faculty.
“This decision makes higher education a privilege for the rich,” said Furqan Khan, a student. “The administration keeps increasing fees to sustain their own salaries, leaving poor families to suffer.”
Parents echoed similar frustration. Ahmad Jan, a small shopkeeper whose daughter studies at the university, said, “With such hikes, education is becoming a luxury. We can barely afford school fees now.”
President of the Peshawar University Teachers’ Association, Professor Dr Zakirullah Jan, blamed administrative inefficiency and poor student engagement for the crisis.
“Fee hikes, combined with staff indifference, are pushing students away. If departments were allowed to manage admissions directly, numbers would improve,” he noted.
Official data reveals that several departments have failed to meet Higher Education Commission (HEC) enrollment standards. The Statistics Department admitted only seven students, Development Studies two, Geography three, History four, and Home Economics two. Under HEC rules, each department must enroll at least 15 students to function effectively.
UoP typically admits around 18,000 students annually, generating up to Rs3 billion in revenue. This year’s drastic decline has left the university facing a serious financial shortfall.
In a statement, a university spokesperson defended the fee structure, saying that UoP’s charges remain lower than other public universities. “We continue to offer all facilities to students and are reopening admissions to accommodate more applicants,” the spokesperson said.
However, growing discontent among students and parents paints a worrying picture. If immediate reforms are not introduced, educationists warn, the University of Peshawar — once the academic heartbeat of the province — risks losing its relevance and credibility.
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