De-affiliating all the government schools and colleges with the KIU Board and affiliating them with the FBISE
By : Saranjam Baig
The Government of Gilgit-Baltistan is in the process of de-affiliating all the government schools and colleges with the KIU Board and affiliating them with the FBISE. Although, the government has the right to do so, it has deleterious implications for the economy and people of Gilgit-Baltistan. Here are a few:
1- Millions, if not billions, of rupees will be flowing out of the GB economy. Considering the multiplier effect, the impact on the economy is several times higher than the actual amount. Ultimate affectees are the masses.
2-At a time when the provincial government is considering establishment of some important institutions like PPSC, Anti-Corruption Watchdog etc, giving the reigns of an important institution to a federal agency will send a wrong signal to those at the helm of affairs in the capital.
3-Not trusting an organisation with 80 plus PhDs, some from top-notch universities of Europe and the US, is a manifestation of our slavery mindset. Ghar ki murgi daal barbar!
4- KIU Board, in the last fifteen years, despite limited resources and staff has rendered its services with full professional commitment. It’s alumni include doctors, engineers, scholars, lawyers, poets, singers, players and thousands of students who were unable to go down country due to financial constraints are now reasonably earning and supporting their families.
5- Fifteenth years later when the institution was learning from its mistakes and when the leadership was introducing a set of reforms, the government’s abrupt decision to affiliate all the schools and colleges with FBISE is a slap in the face of the 80 plus PhDs at KIU as well as a slap in the face of all the educated people of Gilgit-Baltistan.
6- it’s a conspiracy by some elements to project the people of Gilgit-Baltistan as incompetent to run their institutions, which we reject.
7-Through this post, the faculty and staff at KIU request the Chief Minister to interfere to stop the process.
8- We are also requesting civil society, politicians, lawyers, students, and our colleagues at different colleges and schools to play their role.
9- It’s not only a matter of an affiliation, but about our ability and right to run our affairs ourselves.
Please share it and let the policy makers know that you trust KIU AND THE ACADEMICS there.
Warmest regards,
Saranjam Baig, PhD (California), MA(California) MS (Glasgow)
Member KIU Senate
Member KIU Senate