LAHORE: A protest campaign was mount against the “Private School Mafia” fee spikes by the parents of the children who are studying in private schools.
According to Punjab Private Educational Institution Bill that was amended in 2015 such private schools are allowed a five percent increase whereas some schools increases its fee by 15% during the academic year. So the parents demands the government to take strict action against such schools.
Moreover for the K-p’s new vouchers scheme parents criticized the provincial government over not unwilling to enforce law and disallow the exorbitant fee increase.
Faisal Khalid Sheikh, Private Schools Parents Association (PSPA) Punjab Chapter President said, that elite schools are increasing their fee without any fear. He further stated that due to good standard of education the Punjab School Education Minister Rana Mashood allowed them to increase fee to 8% academic year.
He further claimed that many parents have filed complaints about the fee Hike with the DEA and DCO but schools continued to increase in charge of fee. He said parents were decided to stage protests every week after the Eid Holidays.
Thus the Government of Punjab has set the committee to look after the matter and also has taken notice.
Secretary of the Punjab School Education (SED) Dr Allah Baksh Malik said: “Schools charging a fee above Rs 4,000 were only allowed to raise fee after taking prior approval from the DEA. However, this has come to our notice that some schools have unilaterally increased the fees. Because of this increase, parents have expressed serious concern and the chief minister has taken a serious notice of the situation.”
Dr Malik said, “We will ensure all schools charge fee in accordance with the law and we will also resolve all complaints made by the parents.”
Whereas the President of All Pakistan Private Schools Federation (APPSF) Kashif Mirza said that, “The matter has been taken to court and thereby soon the court will make up the decision for which the schools will obey the decisions. We are very clear on this matter. Every school must respect and uphold the court’s decision and cooperate with parents.”
.jpg)
