Has Punjab banned co-education in private colleges? Here is what’s going on

News reports of the Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) banning co-education in private colleges for the BS (Hons) programmes have been circulating on social media since Wednesday night.

However, Azhar Mashwani, the Punjab chief minister’s focal person for digital media has said that the news reports are fake, and no such decision has been made. He also shared the screenshots of the “false” news.

Moreover, Punjab Minister for Higher Education and Information Technology Raja Yassir Humayun Sarfraz has also denied the reports.

“Higher Education Department hasn’t issued any notification about Co-Education in Colleges. Plz, stop spreading fake news on Media,” his tweet read.

Journalist Benzair Shah while talking to The Current said that the news is “not accurate.” She added that the director of public instruction colleges Punjab also confirmed that the notification circulating is from 2010.

However, a checklist for BS Four year degree programme is available on the website of the Higher Education Department and serial number 25 of the document says, “Affidavit for No Co-Education.”

In addition, serial number 28 of a document available with The Current regarding the checklist of ADP ( Associate Degree Programme) states, “Separate Boys and Girls Block. Affidavit for no Co-Education according to sample available in the booklet on stamp paper duly attested by Oath commissioner.”

Serial number 19 of the document says only male staff members are allowed to teach in male colleges and only female staff members are allowed to teach in female colleges. As per our sources, the document is “apparently new”.

As per sources of The Current, the government will issue a clarification on the matter and the checklist has always been there since 2008.

A notification issued by the Directorate of Public Instruction (Coleges) says, “It is to inform that there is no condition of submitting an Affidavit of NO CO-EDUCATION from private colleges to launch BS4YDP, AFP, DPT, Pharma-D and LLB Programs.”

The notification further says, “The information may be conveyed to all the Private Colleges to submit an application according to New Updated proforma (which is available on HEC website.)”