FDE reviews faculty shortages in Islamabad BS programs

ISLAMABAD: Serious questions have emerged regarding the implementation of faculty requirements for BS programmes being run in several federal government colleges in Islamabad, amid allegations that some institutions are operating degree programmes without meeting the prescribed academic standards of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Quaid-i-Azam University.

According to sources, a number of colleges under the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) are allegedly failing to fulfil the minimum faculty criteria required for BS programmes, particularly in disciplines such as English and Computer Science. Concerns have also been raised over the alleged “paper adjustment” of qualified faculty members from other colleges in order to meet requirements on official records and online portals.

Sources stated that the BS English programme at Islamabad Model Postgraduate College H-8 does not currently meet the faculty standards prescribed for undergraduate degree programmes. Under the conditions generally followed for BS programmes affiliated with Quaid-i-Azam University, a department is required to have at least one PhD faculty member and seven MPhil-qualified teachers possessing 18 years of education.

However, sources alleged that the college has been unable to meet this requirement through its permanently available teaching staff. In order to address the shortfall administratively, faculty members from other institutions were allegedly shown on record as transferred or attached to the college, while they continued to perform teaching duties at their original postings.

Among the cases cited by sources is that of a professor reportedly shown as transferred from Islamabad Model Postgraduate College of Commerce H-8/4 to the H-8 postgraduate college. Despite the transfer being reflected in official documentation, the professor is allegedly still teaching at the commerce college.

Similarly, another teacher was reportedly shown on record as transferred from Islamabad Model College H-9 to the H-8 institution, while continuing to remain physically present and engaged in academic duties at the H-9 campus. Sources further alleged that another teacher formally attached to the H-8 college was in practice still serving at Islamabad Model College H-10/4.

According to officials familiar with the matter, biometric attendance records could verify the actual postings and daily presence of faculty members concerned.

Questions have also been raised regarding the BS Computer Science programme at Islamabad Model College for Girls H-6/2, which sources claim is being run without the presence of a PhD faculty member, despite such qualification being considered essential under the prescribed academic framework.

In another instance, sources alleged that at Islamabad Model Postgraduate College for Girls G-10/4, a PhD teacher has been shown in official records as part of the college’s faculty for BS programmes, while the individual is reportedly serving instead at Islamabad College for Boys G-6/3.

Students have also expressed concern over the situation. Speaking on condition of anonymity, one BS student said the alleged shortage of qualified faculty members was directly affecting academic quality and depriving students of the level of supervision and instruction expected in higher education programmes.

“The students enrolled in these programmes expect proper academic guidance and specialised teaching. If departments are functioning without the required faculty, then the purpose of quality higher education is compromised,” the student said.

Meanwhile, the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) has formally sought detailed records regarding faculty members associated with BS programmes across federal government colleges in Islamabad.

According to an official notification issued to principals of federal colleges, institutions have been directed to submit complete details of all teachers appointed against BS programmes. The requested information includes updated curricula vitae, attested academic credentials, and all administrative orders related to appointments, joining reports, transfers and postings.

The notification further stated that coordinators and heads of BS programmes from the concerned colleges have been instructed to present the required record during an important meeting scheduled for 2 June 2026 at Islamabad Model Postgraduate College for Girls G-10/4.

The development comes amid increasing scrutiny over the functioning of BS programmes in federal colleges and allegations that some institutions may have attempted to fulfil HEC and university faculty requirements through documentation practices rather than actual faculty deployment.

Officials familiar with the matter said the ongoing review by the FDE could help determine whether the colleges concerned are operating in accordance with prescribed academic regulations and whether any administrative irregularities took place in the reporting of faculty strength.

No official response from the colleges named in the allegations was available at the time of filing this report.