LAHORE: The Punjab government has ended free nursing education in public-sector colleges by introducing a new policy issued by the provincial Health Department.
Under the revised policy, nursing students enrolled in government institutions will now be required to pay tuition fees running into thousands of rupees. The monthly stipend previously given to students has also been discontinued, and hostel accommodation in government facilities will no longer be free of charge.
Eligibility criteria for admission have been tightened as well. Applicants must have secured at least 50 percent marks in their intermediate examinations to qualify for nursing programmes. Additionally, only candidates holding a Punjab domicile will be eligible for admission.
Gender-based restrictions have also been introduced in certain institutions. For instance, the Nursing College at Shahdara Teaching Hospital will now admit male students only.
In terms of seat distribution, a total of 3,100 seats have been allocated for morning shifts across government nursing colleges in Punjab, while 3,000 seats will be available in evening shifts. Nursing colleges affiliated with teaching hospitals will offer 100 seats each in both morning and evening sessions. Meanwhile, colleges attached to district hospitals will have 50 seats per shift.
