ABSTRACT
The eastern agricultural and industrial province, producing most of the country’s rice, wheat, cotton and sugar-cane. The Federal Ministry controls broad policy, curricula, books and standards. Provincial departments fund and administer education at all levels, although the University Grants Commission (UGC) is a national coordinating body for higher education. Classes are generally large, facilities inadequate, curricula/teaching are highly formalised. Primary instruction is usually in the local mother tongue; middle and secondary instruction in Urdu. All provincial universities give instruction at honours and postgraduate level only; university ordinary bachelors’ degrees are taken externally at degree colleges. Medical and specialist engineering degrees are taken only at universities and some specialist colleges. The Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) was formally established in 1974, following the passing of the People’s Open University Act. Initial course plans were drawn up on an ambitious scale, and fairly high and immediate student enrolment was envisaged.
