Views Of Educationists Regarding Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Higher Education –A Practice Of Maladministration Of 18th Amendment

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Dr. Muhammad Rauf , Dr. Naseer Ahmad , Dr Ramim Bibi , Muhammad Ilyas Khan , Palwasha Naseer

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the views of educationists regarding Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Higher Education. Three are many hurdles in the implementation of 18th Amendment regarding higher education in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This was a qualitative study in which interview was used as tool for data collection. The participants were Vice-Chancellors, University teaching faculty, officials of the Higher Education Commission, officials of the Higher Education Department comprising a total of 14 participants. A purposive sampling technique was used for the selection of participants. The data were analyzed with the help of thematic analysis.  The findings of the study revealed that after the 18th Constitutional Amendment, federal and provincial governments confronted each other on the establishment of PHEC. Other provinces established a PHEC in their provinces. While Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was unable to establish a PHEC. It was revealed that Governor/Chancellor has no authority to impose a ban on the appointment of faculty. Respondents stated that the selection of Vice-chancellors VCs is against the true spirit of provincial autonomy. It was concluded that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government lacks the political will to establish a PHEC. Secondly, the difference in political standpoint is also a major reason for not establishing a PHEC. After the 18th Amendment, national educational policy 2017 is illegal. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as a province, has the potential in terms of trained human resources for higher education, but the government is not ready to utilize their services.


Recommendations developed from the results of this current study include establishing a PHEC in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as has been done in other provinces. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa may frame their educational policy. Local academics/ intelligentsia may be considered for the appointment of VCs. HEC and HED should simplify the funding process without affecting the autonomy of universities. The federal government may increase the budget for PHEC. So, PHEC could provide more funding to universities. The PHEC may have a more financial role rather than an administrative role regarding universities.   Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government may show the political will to establish her own PHEC. Local intelligentsia (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa domicile holders) may be appointed as VCs. Finally, selection criteria for VCs may be revised to accommodate candidates from both the natural science as well as social science background.

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