Attendance Crisis in Pakistani Universities

In the academic corridors of Sindh’s universities, a silent crisis is unfolding, one that threatens the integrity of higher education and the future of its students.

• Attendance policy violations, once seen as isolated lapses, have become alarmingly routine across campuses.

By Prof Dr. Abdullah Arijo

In recent years, universities across the globe have grappled with a growing concern: dwindling student attendance. Once vibrant lecture halls now echo with empty seats, raising urgent questions about the evolving dynamics of higher education. This phenomenon is not merely a logistical inconvenience; it reflects deeper systemic challenges, including shifting student priorities, digital disruption, socio-economic pressures, and pedagogical gaps. As institutions strive to uphold academic integrity and engagement, the issue of low attendance emerges as a burning challenge that demands thoughtful analysis, innovative solutions, and collective responsibility.

In the academic corridors of Sindh’s universities, a silent crisis is unfolding, one that threatens the integrity of higher education and the future of its students. Attendance policy violations, once seen as isolated lapses, have become alarmingly routine across campuses. This erosion of academic discipline undermines not only institutional standards but also the culture of accountability essential for intellectual growth and civic responsibility.

Despite clear attendance policies typically requiring a minimum of 75% attendance to qualify for examinations, compliance remains dismally low. Students frequently skip lectures without a valid justification, and many institutions fail to enforce penalties consistently. The result is a troubling culture of complacency, where academic engagement is increasingly viewed as optional rather than essential.

Some universities, across the province, follow guidelines set by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), which outline progressive disciplinary measures: a warning at 10% absence, a second warning at 20%, failure at 25%, and automatic cancellation of admission after 30 consecutive days of unexplained absence. Yet enforcement is patchy. Students often exploit leniencies, offering vague excuses or leveraging informal networks to avoid consequences. Faculty, burdened by administrative overload, may hesitate to report violations due to fears of backlash or procedural delays.

Read: What can universities do to boost student attendance and achievement?

The roots of chronic absenteeism are multifaceted. Outdated teaching methods fail to engage students meaningfully. Transportation and infrastructure challenges, especially in rural areas, make regular attendance difficult. Mental health issues and academic burnout go largely unaddressed. Weak enforcement mechanisms and the absence of digital tracking systems further compound the problem. In some institutions, absenteeism has become culturally normalized, eroding the very ethos of higher education.

The consequences are profound. Academic performance declines, failure rates rise, and classroom discussions suffer. Peer learning weakens, institutional reputations falter, and the employability of graduates diminishes. If left unchecked, this crisis could jeopardize accreditation and the credibility of Sindh’s academic institutions.

To restore integrity and foster a culture of responsibility, universities must adopt a comprehensive strategy. Digital attendance systems, such as biometric or app-based tracking, should be integrated with student portals to provide real-time data and automated alerts. Enforcement must be transparent and uniform across departments, with anonymized monthly reports to promote accountability.

Counseling units should be established to support students facing mental health, financial, or academic challenges. Faculty must be equipped with engaging pedagogical tools, including interactive lectures, blended learning, and culturally relevant content. Community engagement is vital, especially in rural areas, where parents and local leaders can play a role in promoting attendance. Finally, policy reforms should draw from the Sindh government’s draft Student Attendance Monitoring and Redress Policy, adapting its data-driven framework for higher education.

Attendance is more than a statistic; it reflects commitment, discipline, and respect for learning. Universities in Sindh must confront this challenge not with punitive rigidity, but with empathy, innovation, and a resolute approach. Only then can we nurture graduates who are not only academically proficient but also civically responsible and professionally prepared to meet the demands of a changing world.

In recent months, several universities have faced a notable decline in student admissions, prompting institutions to extend their admission deadlines multiple times, some as many as three extensions. Despite these efforts, many universities still fall short of meeting their targeted enrollment numbers.

This trend raises critical questions about the underlying causes: shifting student preferences, economic pressures, demographic changes, and increased competition from alternative education platforms may all be contributing factors. The repeated extensions, while intended to attract more applicants, also signal institutional uncertainty and may affect the perceived credibility of academic programs.

The situation calls for a strategic reassessment of outreach, curriculum relevance, financial accessibility, and student support systems. Without addressing these core challenges, universities risk long-term enrollment instability and diminished academic vitality.

Read: Leadership Vacuum in Universities of Sindh

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Dr. Abdullah G. Arijo is a retired professor, ex: chairman, Department of Parasitology, Sindh Agriculture University, Tando Jam, ex-advisor Academics & P&D to Vice Chancellor, SAU Tandojam. Email: Email: abdullaharijo@gmail.com