BS Zoology Bara Approved for Girls at Government College
The approval of the BS Zoology Bara programme has brought welcome news for students in Khyber district. The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Directorate of Higher Education approved the programme at Government Girls Degree College Bara. The college will offer admission to 40 female students in the first phase.
The decision opens new doors for young women. Many girls previously ended their education after FSc because higher education options remained limited. Now, students can continue their studies close to home and avoid costly travel to other cities.
New Opportunities for Female Students
Parents, teachers, and community leaders have praised the approval. For several years, they urged authorities to introduce a BS programme at the college. They believed local access to higher education would help more girls complete their academic journey.
The issue gained attention after reports highlighted the challenges faced by female students. Following these reports, District Khyber Dedac Chairman Abdul Ghani Afridi engaged with higher education officials. Chief Minister Sohail Afridi also supported the initiative. Meanwhile, College Principal Zarqa Shabir worked closely with stakeholders to secure approval.
Students welcomed the decision with enthusiasm. Many said they would no longer need to travel to Peshawar or other cities. In addition, families can now reduce educational expenses while ensuring their daughters continue learning.
Education Challenges Still Need Attention
Official figures show that 126,318 students study in government institutions across Khyber district. This total includes 73,218 boys and 53,100 girls. Although girls’ enrolment has improved, many challenges remain.
Primary school enrollment remains encouraging across the district. However, student numbers drop significantly in higher classes. Experts link this decline to economic pressures, social barriers, and limited educational facilities.
Bara remains the largest education hub in the district. At the same time, Khyber has 747 government educational institutions. Despite this network, girls still face limited access to higher secondary and college-level education. Therefore, students have requested BS programmes in Chemistry, Botany, Computer Science, and Physics to expand opportunities further.
