LAHORE: Punjab University has increased the limit on additional courses for faculty members.
The university has raised the maximum number from three courses to five. The decision has raised concerns among several academics.
Faculty members can now receive payment for teaching beyond their prescribed workload. The revised rules will apply from the Fall 2026 semester.
The university has introduced separate workload requirements for BPS and TTS faculty. These rules define the regular teaching responsibilities for different academic positions.
Under the revised policy, BPS lecturers and assistant professors must teach nine credit hours. Associate professors and professors have a prescribed workload of six credit hours.
Chairpersons, directors, principals and deans have a workload of three credit hours. Faculty members can undertake additional teaching beyond these prescribed limits.
Five-Course Limit Introduced
Under the new policy, faculty members can receive payment for additional classes. The additional teaching can now cover up to five courses.
Previously, the maximum limit was three courses. The university has also fixed a five-course ceiling for TTS faculty members.
Earlier, TTS teachers could take extra classes equal to two-thirds of their regular workload. Such assignments depended on departmental requirements and required prior approval.
The revised policy has changed the limit for additional teaching. University officials believe the change can help manage teaching requirements.
Punjab University Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali Shah explained the reasoning behind the decision. He said the Deans’ Committee recommended the change.
The Semester Implementation Committee also supported the revised workload arrangement. According to the vice chancellor, both committees reviewed the additional teaching requirements.
They believed faculty members could handle the increased workload. They also maintained that education and research quality would not be affected.
Academics Raise Concerns
Several academics have questioned the decision to increase the additional course limit. They believe heavier teaching responsibilities could affect faculty performance.
According to academics, extra courses may reduce preparation time for lectures. They also expressed concerns about student supervision and research activities.
Faculty members often require sufficient time for research and academic development. Increased teaching responsibilities could limit that time, academics argued.
They suggested that the university should address faculty shortages through fresh recruitment. Instead of increasing workloads, more teachers should be appointed, they said.
The concerns have added to the debate surrounding the revised policy. The university, however, maintains that the additional workload can be managed.
The new rules will remain applicable from the Fall 2026 semester. The policy will affect faculty members undertaking classes beyond their prescribed workload.
The latest decision by Punjab University is expected to remain a key issue among academics. Faculty members are closely watching its impact on teaching and research.
In other news read more about Punjab University Teachers and Employees Protest Over Outstanding Dues
University authorities have defended the change based on recommendations from relevant committees. Academics continue to call for measures that can address staffing shortages.
