Punjab govt proposes raising vice chancellors’ age limit to 75

LAHORE: The Punjab government has proposed increasing the upper age limit for vice chancellors at seven public-sector medical universities from 65 to 75 years, as the provincial assembly discussed a wider education agenda that also included easing seminary registration rules.

According to proceedings in the Punjab Assembly, the proposed legislative changes also seek to simplify the registration process for madrassas by exempting seminaries already registered with the federal government from having to complete a fresh provincial registration process.

The matters came up during the question hour related to the Higher Education Department, where treasury and opposition lawmakers voiced concern over the state of educational institutions, the absence of universities in several districts and the increasing cost of education. A number of questions were either disposed of or deferred because some lawmakers were absent.

Deputy Speaker Malik Zaheer Iqbal Channar directed Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat to remain present throughout the proceedings. The session also included a brief lighter moment when the minister initially had difficulty locating questions on his digital tablet before going on to respond to queries raised by opposition lawmaker Rana Aftab Ahmad Khan.

Opposition criticism and govt response

During the debate, Rana Aftab questioned the government’s education policies, including financial assistance being provided under self-support schemes. He also raised concerns over the growing reliance on private tuition academies and asked why increasing numbers of students and teachers were turning to them.

Opposition member Sardar Muhammad Ali also criticised the government’s handling of the sector, saying that despite heavy spending, reforms had yet to deliver meaningful results. He said students were attending schools for only about 125 days a year and argued that the effect of official initiatives was not visible on the ground.

In response, Rana Sikandar defended the government’s performance and told the house that two universities were being established in the district represented by the member who had raised criticism. He also referred to the Nawaz Sharif School of Excellence initiative and said students were increasingly choosing those institutions instead of private schools.

The assembly discussion brought together concerns over higher education, school performance and regulatory issues in the education sector, with lawmakers from both sides using the session to press the government on access, affordability and institutional conditions.