ISLAMABAD – The government has taken stern step toward shifting medical education to a private-style model. The monthly stipend of Rs31,600 previously awarded to students of government nursing colleges has been completely abolished.
A new admission policy for the four-year BS Nursing has been issued, and it introduces sweeping changes that have stunned students and educators alike:
Under the new changes, free hostel facilities in government nursing colleges have been ended. Public-sector nursing colleges will now charge annual fees, similar to private institutions.
Students will be required to pay thousands of rupees annually.The entire admission process has been handed over to the University of Health Sciences (UHS).
According to the new policy, admissions will be offered on 3,100 seats across 45 public nursing colleges in Punjab, while an additional 1,400 seats have been announced for evening programs in 15 government colleges. The government claims the decisions aim to “improve the quality of nursing education” and make admissions “more organized.”
However, critics argue the move appears to be the beginning of a systematic shift toward privatizing nursing education, putting increased financial pressure on aspiring nurses.
In another major development, applications for quota-based admissions to medical and dental colleges will open on December 1. All applications must be submitted through the UHS online portal.
For the first time ever, Punjab will accept direct applications from candidates of other provinces.
According to the new admission policy approved by the Punjab Cabinet, nomination-based admissions have been completely abolished, a step the government says will improve transparency and ensure equal opportunities for all applicants.
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