HEC budget has been reduced to Rs25bln.
In a move that could significantly impact the higher education landscape in Pakistan, the federal government has slashed the recurrent budget of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) for the financial year 2024-25 from Rs65 billion to Rs25 billion.
This drastic reduction confines funding exclusively to federal universities, compelling provincial institutions to seek financial support from their respective provincial governments.
The development budget has not been spared either, seeing a reduction from Rs59 billion to Rs21 billion, as confirmed by a letter from the Ministry of Finance.
This reallocation requires provinces to self-finance their universities, shifting the burden away from federal support.
Funding Cut Details:
- Recurrent Budget: Decreased from Rs65 billion to Rs25 billion.
- Development Budget: Reduced from Rs59 billion to Rs21 billion.
Provincial Impact:
With federal funding now limited to federal universities, provincial public universities must navigate the challenge of securing their own funding.
The inevitable consequence of devolution of education and universities becoming their provinces’ responsibility – HEC’s budget is subjected to a drastic cut because now it only has to support universities that are the federal government’s responsibility.
With great devolution… https://t.co/93l4wboKw6
— Ayesha Razzaque (@Razzaque_Ayesha) May 28, 2024
The HEC had initially requested Rs126 billion to cater to over 160 public universities nationwide, a request that underscores the substantial gap between needs and available funds.
Official Concerns:
HEC Chairman Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed confirmed the receipt of the finance ministry’s letters detailing the budget reductions.
He expressed grave concerns regarding the adverse effects this cutback will have on universities across the country.
In response, Dr. Mukhtar has reached out to the finance minister and the prime minister, urging reconsideration of the budget allocations.
He noted that in 2018, the HEC’s budget stood at Rs65 billion, making the current reduction to Rs25 billion even more stark.
“This significant cut in the HEC budget will severely impact the operational capabilities and quality of education in our universities,” said Dr. Mukhtar.
“We are looking at potential disruptions in academic programs, research activities, and overall university operations.”
Broader Implications:
- Quality of Education: The funding cuts threaten to compromise the quality of education, infrastructure, and research at public universities.
- Provincial Budgets: Provinces must now allocate substantial portions of their budgets to support higher education, adding financial pressure to already stretched resources.
- Future Prospects: Long-term consequences may include reduced access to higher education, compromised academic standards, and diminished research outputs.
Response Strategies:
In light of these challenges, provinces will need to devise robust funding strategies to sustain their universities. Possible measures include:
- Sustainable Provincial Funding: Developing new financial models to support higher education at the provincial level.
- Continued Advocacy: Ongoing negotiations between the HEC, federal government, and provincial authorities to secure necessary funding.
- Alternative Sources: Exploring alternative funding avenues, such as public-private partnerships, international grants, and alumni contributions.
