This refers to the letter, ‘Private schools’ (Nov 27), by Syed Tariq Nawaz. The writer has highlighted the opposition of private school owners to a regulatory bill which proposes regulation and supervision of private schools. He has given an apt description of current state of the education sector in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. During 2013 elections campaigns, the PTI promised that it would ensure provision of high quality education for the people of the province. However, after coming to power, the PTI-led KP government has done nothing to bring reforms to the current education system in the province. Private schools, while enjoying their status, continue to increase monthly fee, making it impossible for middle-income households to send their children to private schools. The poor cannot even dream of getting an admission in these schools. It is disappointing that the provincial government hasn’t raised voice against such practices.
What the provincial government can do to make up for its shortcomings is to stop private schools from increasing monthly fee. It should set a limit so that all schools can increase the fee up to the highest allowed increase. Education is the basic right of the people and it is sad to see that in our country, the poor are deprived of this right as well. In fact, many well-to-do families are also fed-up of regular increase in school fee. The KP government should take steps to alleviate the suffering of the people.
Nasir Uddin Bangash
Haripur