The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has discontinued Bachelor of Science (BS) programs in its public sector colleges, replacing them with associate degree (AD) programs across the province, reported 24NewsHD TV channel Wednesday.
According to a notification issued by the Higher Education Department (HED), the decision was taken in light of persistently low enrollment and a high dropout rate in BS programs. The department stated that many subjects previously offered under the BS system were deemed unnecessary, leading to limited student interest.
The notification further revealed that BS programs in 36 government colleges have been formally discontinued, and a comprehensive list of the affected subjects has been released. In total, 230 BS programs across 128 colleges have now been converted into associate degree programs.
Officials said the reform is aimed at streamlining the higher education system in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and improving academic outcomes. The HED maintained that the associate degree model would be more accessible and effective in catering to the educational needs of students across the province.