Students Demand More Teachers at Degree College Chilas
In the region of Gilgit-Baltistan, which is under Pakistan’s control, students from Degree College Chilas have taken to the streets to demand the hiring of qualified teachers. The protest, which took place on Wednesday, highlights the ongoing issue of inadequate staffing that has been affecting students’ education for several months.
Protest Highlights Staffing Shortages
One protester expressed frustration, stating, “The reason we are protesting today is the lack of proper faculty. There should be 26 professors and teachers, but there are only six. It is shameful that our people are preventing us from receiving an education.” The shortage has severely impacted departments like science, commerce, and humanities, leaving some subjects without instructors.
Long-standing Issues
Another student shared, “This is my third year at this degree college, and this is not new. The students protesting today are first-year students, and even under previous administrations, there were no teachers.” Despite repeated complaints, the college administration has not addressed the issue, leading to warnings from students about potential future problems.
Challenges in the Region
Despite global efforts to improve education, Gilgit-Baltistan faces numerous challenges, including budget cuts and irregular funding from the Higher Education Commission. Students from remote areas, who come with hopes of higher education, are encountering unexpected obstacles. There is a concern that Pakistan may be deliberately undermining education to prevent challenges to its authority.
Doubts Revealed
Gilgit-Baltistan -: Gilgit-Baltistan is a region in the northern part of Pakistan. It is known for its beautiful mountains and is part of the larger Kashmir region.
Degree College Chilas -: Degree College Chilas is a college located in the town of Chilas, which is in the Gilgit-Baltistan region. It offers higher education to students in that area.
Protest -: A protest is when people gather together to show that they are unhappy about something and want it to change. In this case, students are protesting because they want more teachers at their college.
Staffing shortage -: A staffing shortage means there are not enough people working in a place. Here, it means there are not enough teachers at the college to teach all the students.
Budget cuts -: Budget cuts happen when the amount of money given to a place or project is reduced. This can make it hard for schools to pay for things like teachers and supplies.
Irregular funding -: Irregular funding means that the money needed for something, like a school, does not come regularly or predictably. This can cause problems in planning and running the school smoothly.