THE NEWS INTERNATIONAL

KARACHI 22 OCT 95

Dear Sir:

Sub: ST. JOSEPH’S COLLEGE

This is with reference to the article published in your esteemed newspaper on Oct. 22, 1995 regarding the closure of St. Joseph’s College due to threats by the office-bearers of People’s Students Federation. These hooligans wanted to impose their recently "earned" writ on the hierarchy of this great institution and thru a show of force wanted admissions for those who earned ‘C’ and ‘D’ grades. This speaks volumes for the standard of education in this nation.

What is more pitiful is that most of the recommendations emanated from the holy sanctums of the Sindh Chief Minister’s House. It seems that those sitting in its hallowed halls do not give two hoots to the system of merit and want to make sure that misfits and losers enter the portals of prestigious educational institutions. Another sad story of "merit". Another blatant misuse of powers by those who venture to issue the proverbial "parchis". Another stab in the back for those who are ensuring that the nation’s future generation is well educated, well trained, and well mannered.

It is sincerely proposed to those ruling the roost from the CM House to set up, immediately, a college to accommodate those who have influence or are close to the seats of power, but who cannot muster up a grade higher than ‘C’ or ‘D’. It can be appropriately termed as "People’s College of Excellence". The present Education Minister can be the Rector of this great institute, where the only criteria for admission should be either a ‘C’ or ‘D’ grade and the ubiquitous "parchi". That’s all! In the meantime, someone please keep the so-called office-bearers of ANY AND every student’s federation from trying to mess up the image of the present Bhutto government.

Yours etc:
 
 

MIKE BAXTER