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Thursday March 28, 2024

Unjustified fee hike not acceptable, Baligh tells representatives of private schools

Islamabad Unjustified fee hike is not acceptable to anyone. A number of parents have moved their children to other schools which has negatively impacted their studies. The increase in fee, if any, should not be more than the current rate of inflation and it should not be done without any

By Afshan S. Khan
September 18, 2015
Islamabad
Unjustified fee hike is not acceptable to anyone. A number of parents have moved their children to other schools which has negatively impacted their studies. The increase in fee, if any, should not be more than the current rate of inflation and it should not be done without any established mechanism. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has serious concerns about this issue and he wants to get it solved immediately, said Minister of State for
Education and Professional Training Baligh-ur-Rehman while chairing a meeting with the representatives of private schools here on Thursday.
The representatives of private schools briefed the minister on reasons behind the fee hike which has become a bone of contention among private schools, parents and the government. They said that the increase in inflation, taxes, CPI and rents of the buildings are the major reasons behind the school fee increase. They added that they pay good salaries to their teacher and staff, and pay special attention to the security of children and provide them with all upgraded facilities. Therefore, it is not possible for them to operate on a low cost, they added.
After listening to the concerns of the managements of private schools, the minister said that schools should have obtained prior permission from PIERA, the regulatory authority for private schools, regarding their fee structure. He emphasised again at the end that all schools, while demanding fee hike, should keep in view the very low rate of (current) inflation. Another round of discussion on the issue will take place today (Friday).