The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has completed preparations to run 55 public colleges under a public-private partnership model, aiming to improve education quality and management efficiency across the province.
55 colleges identified for partnership
The KP Higher Education Department has released a list of 55 colleges that may soon be operated in collaboration with the private sector. Among them, seven colleges are located in Dera Ismail Khan, while others are spread across different districts of the province.
Officials explained that the move comes as part of broader efforts to enhance the performance and capacity of colleges struggling with low enrollment and administrative challenges.
Privatisation not yet finalised
Higher Education Secretary Kamran Afridi clarified that no final decision has been taken regarding full privatization of these institutions. Instead, the government is exploring ways to strengthen academic standards and ensure efficient use of resources through public-private collaboration.
According to Afridi, many colleges included in the list have very low student numbers, falling short of the minimum requirement of 500 students for establishing a viable college. In some cases, officials also uncovered fake enrollments, raising concerns about accountability and misuse of resources.
Focus on improving education capacity
The Higher Education Department has emphasized that the ultimate goal is to increase the capacity and quality of education in provincial colleges. Afridi stated that the partnership approach will help ensure better management, reduce inefficiencies, and provide students with improved learning opportunities.
