ISLAMABAD: Public sector universities across Punjab are facing a sharp decline in student admissions this academic year, with enrollment in undergraduate, MPhil, and PhD programs dropping by 20% to 30% at several institutions. Educationists warn that the trend signals a deepening crisis in the province’s higher education sector.
According to the Punjab Higher Education Department, major universities such as Punjab University Lahore, Government College University Faisalabad, and Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan have admitted fewer students than expected. Smaller institutions in districts like Dera Ghazi Khan, Sahiwal, and Narowal are struggling even more, with some unable to fill seats in their most popular programs.
Experts attribute the decline to a combination of economic hardship, outdated curricula, and a widening gap between academic qualifications and job market requirements.
“For many families, even public universities have become unaffordable due to hostel, transport, book, and other living costs,” said Prof. Dr. Munawar Sabir, former chairman of Punjab University’s Geography Department. Parents from rural and low-income areas report that inflation has turned higher education into a luxury. Shamsa Bibi, a resident near Narowal, said her son, despite strong grades, abandoned his university plans to work in a factory.
Academic observers also stress the need for curriculum reform. “Many universities are still teaching in formats that haven’t changed for decades,” noted Prof. Dr. Muhammad Arshad Ali. “Students want practical skills that lead to jobs, not degrees that leave them unemployed.”
The shift is driving more young people toward short professional courses, vocational diplomas, and online certifications — particularly in IT and digital skills — which offer faster routes to employment. The growth of freelancing and gig-based work has accelerated this trend.
Postgraduate programs are also being hit hard, with MPhil and PhD enrollments falling sharply, raising concerns over declining research output and academic stagnation in the province.
Educationists are urging urgent government intervention, including expanded scholarships for low-income students, subsidized transportation, reduced entry test fees, curriculum modernization aligned with industry needs, and stronger university–industry linkages to enhance employability.
Without decisive action, they warn, Punjab risks losing not only students but also the vital role its universities play in driving social and economic progress.
