LUMS management's decision unacceptable, says federal education minister

Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mahmood on Saturday assured students the government would do everything to facilitate them.

In a series of tweets, he said the decision to cancel the board exams was taken reluctantly in the larger interest of the students.

Taking notice of the fee increase by the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Shafqat Mahmood said he had seen reports that the university has increased its fee by 41 percent. If true, he said, this is unacceptable. He said that LUMS is a premier educational institution of the country and needs to take lead in giving relief to students rather than burdening them and their parents further.

He said the Supreme Court has given a formula for annual five to eight percent increase in school fees. He, however, said that universities may have different compulsions and may need a somewhat greater increase but a sudden 41 percent increase by LUMS is beyond comprehension. He urged the LUMS management to reconsider its decision.

The minister said “we will answer all queries of students on Monday as we have sought a number of clarifications after board exam cancellation, especially queries from those who were giving composite class 12 exam or hoped to do better in 12 class compared to their performance in class 11 or reappeared, and private students or those taking supplementary exams”. He said examination of class nine is no issue as these students can take composite exam of class 10.