By: Saleem Khan
PESHAWAR: Government City Girls College Gulbahar is emerging as a model public-sector institution by focusing on quality education, discipline, character building, modern skills, sports and a conducive academic environment for female students.
Principal Government City Girls College Peshawar, Professor Rabia Sikandar, said while talking to this correspondent that the college administration was making sustained efforts to improve its academic and administrative systems and provide students with a safe, peaceful and dignified learning environment.
She said discipline was being strictly enforced and no compromise was being made in this regard. An effective monitoring system was in place, with the Chief Proctor, Academic In-charge and other relevant staff responsible for overseeing academic, disciplinary and administrative affairs.
Professor Rabia said students showing outstanding academic performance were being encouraged. Students securing A+ grades were being provided free education, while their tuition fees and other relevant expenses were being met through the college’s People Fund. Fee concessions were also available for deserving and financially weak students.
She said merit and transparency were being prioritised in admissions and other matters. All available seats were being utilised, while expansion of infrastructure was necessary to accommodate more students in the future.
The principal said the college was focusing not only on academic achievement but also on personality and character development. Students were being encouraged to develop communication skills, confidence, expression and practical abilities required for professional and social life.
“Our objective is to prepare students in such a way that after graduating from the institution, they can enter practical life with confidence, competence and the ability to play a meaningful role in society,” she said.
Professor Rabia said new subjects and courses were also being introduced according to modern educational requirements. After she assumed charge as principal, Zoology was introduced at the college and had produced encouraging results. Efforts were underway to introduce further disciplines in line with contemporary needs.
She said modern IT programmes and other academic activities were also being promoted so that students could acquire modern knowledge and practical skills.
To prevent disruption in the teaching process, the college was also making temporary appointments of female teachers from its own fund for the academic session in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Higher Education Department.
“Thankfully, the college has not faced a shortage of teachers to date. The teaching staff and administration are working together to maintain academic standards and enable students to achieve better results,” she said.
The principal said providing a safe and peaceful environment remained among the college’s top priorities. Bringing mobile phones into the college premises had been prohibited, while disciplinary action was taken in case of violations. Parents were also informed where necessary.
An AI-based attendance system was being installed to improve attendance monitoring, while security cameras had also been installed at different locations across the college premises.
Professor Rabia said the identity of Government City Girls College Gulbahar was not limited to academics, as its students had also achieved recognition in sports. Students had performed prominently at provincial, national and international levels, particularly in basketball and other disciplines.
She said college students had also earned the distinction of participating in the Asian Games for the first time, adding that the administration would continue encouraging talented athletes to achieve further success.
Highlighting infrastructure improvements, Professor Rabia said a long-standing drainage problem had recently been resolved. She said rainwater used to enter the college premises due to the failure to properly clean the drain outside the institution, disrupting academic activities and damaging furniture and other property.
Through sustained efforts, the problem was addressed after nearly 32 years, significantly improving the college environment and basic facilities.
She said the existing college building was old and had been constructed before 1986. A new modern building, she added, could provide a long-term solution to several challenges and increase the number of classrooms.
The proposed facility could include modern classrooms, laboratories, IT facilities, sports facilities and other essential academic and administrative infrastructure, enabling the college to accommodate more students and provide them with better learning opportunities.
Professor Rabia appreciated the cooperation extended by senior officials of the Higher Education Department KP, including the Secretary Higher Education, Additional and Deputy Secretaries, Director General Higher Education and other relevant officials.
She said their support and encouragement had motivated the administration and teaching staff to further improve the institution’s performance.
Regarding academic results, the principal said Government City Girls College Gulbahar had been producing strong results year after year. A number of its graduates had secured employment in different fields and were contributing to the development of the province and the country.
“Encouraging talented students, identifying their abilities and preparing them for practical life are among the fundamental priorities of the institution,” she said.
Professor Rabia said the college had become a symbol of trust for parents and students, adding that the administration was making every possible effort to maintain that trust through improvements in education, discipline, security, sports and personality development.
