Public universities in Punjab are experiencing a noticeable drop in student admissions this year, raising worries among teachers, education experts, and policy makers about the future of higher education in the province.
According to official figures from the Punjab Higher Education Department, enrollment for undergraduate, MPhil, and PhD programs has fallen by about 20% to 30% at many well-known institutions. Major universities such as Punjab University in Lahore, Government College University in Faisalabad, and Bahauddin Zakariya University in Multan have all admitted fewer students than expected. Smaller campuses located in cities like Dera Ghazi Khan, Sahiwal, and Narowal are struggling even more, with some facing significant challenges in attracting new students.
Experts believe there are several reasons for this decline. The ongoing economic difficulties mean many families are finding it harder to pay for education, even at public universities. While tuition fees may be lower compared to private institutions, other costs such as hostel accommodation, daily transport, and study materials have become a heavy financial burden. In addition, many study programs have not been updated for years, and there is an increasing mismatch between the skills taught at universities and the requirements of the modern job market.
These factors together are making higher education less accessible and less appealing for many young people, which could have long-term effects on both the education sector and the province’s overall development.
