The medical colleges and universities in Sindh are considering a substantial 50 percent hike in fees for the upcoming academic session. The proposal of fee increase was tabled during a meeting chaired by the Caretaker Health Minister, Dr Saad Niaz, on Tuesday. Representatives from various medical institutions argued for the fee hike, attributing it to the prevailing inflationary pressures affecting the cost of education.
The caretaker minister, acknowledging their concerns, directed the relevant authorities to prepare a summary outlining the proposed fee adjustments for submission to the provincial cabinet for approval. While addressing the meeting, Dr Niaz emphasized the need to balance the financial sustainability of educational institutions with ensuring accessibility for students.
The decision, if approved, is expected to impact admission and academic session fees for medical colleges across the province. In addition to the fee hike deliberations, the meeting also focused on the preparations for the upcoming Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT). Stringent measures were discussed to tackle instances of cheating during the examination. The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) is set to be approached, with a recommendation for a one-year ban on students caught cheating.
