RAWALPINDI: The Punjab government has decided to further expand the public-private partnership model for improving educational institutions and has formally included government colleges in its privatisation programme alongside schools.
First Phase: 150 Colleges
In the first phase, 150 colleges will be handed over to the private sector under the public-private partnership model during the summer vacations. The government has also decided to phase out all commerce colleges across the province.
Colleges of Eminence
Under the policy, the Higher Education Department Punjab has approved the establishment of "Colleges of Eminence" in all tehsils. Under the plan, one model college in each tehsil will be upgraded according to international standards, while selected public colleges will be handed over to the private sector under public-private partnership arrangements.
Selection Criteria
Various benchmarks have been set for selecting colleges based on performance and quality. The Higher Education Department has outlined 10 mandatory criteria, including:
- Academic reputation
- Highly qualified faculty
- Student performance
- Research and innovation
- Modern infrastructure
- Laboratories
- Library facilities
- Industry linkages
- Internship opportunities
The initiative aims to align government colleges with modern educational requirements and improve academic standards.
