regulations to implement this Ordinance have yet to be framed. The rules for 1984 ordinance are still awaited and sources privy to the developments confirmed that no progress on framing of rules was in sight this time too. Nonetheless this “tactical” move by the Punjab government has “forced” private schools to form a joint platform and “show” its strength and hit the government where it is weak the most, public schools.
One wonders if the government has the courage or willingness to respond to the challenges highlighted by the private sector. The best way could only be framing rules and regulations at the earliest so that the law could be implemented in true spirit. Of course, the amendments introduced by the Punjab government this time reflect the public sentiments; otherwise, the move couldn’t have won public praise.
Similarly a few things need to be clarified vis-à-vis the role of media as mentioned by the private schools in the advertisement. “Were the media to focus on the lift of government schools, the government would not be able to escape its responsibility and shift the blame and public wrath to private schools” goes an “innocent” recommendation by private schools. The fact is over the years the media’s focus has been public schooling, always reminding the government of its constitutional responsibilities. When a news report highlights missing facilities in a public school, falling education standards or drop-out of students media tries to make the government realise its responsibilities. Nonetheless the private sector, which witnessed mushroom growth, remained neglected for one reason or the other by most of the media organisations over all these years. Undoubtedly, over the years owing to the government’s neglect, intentional or unintentional, the private sector in education has become so strong in Pakistan that it now started openly challenging the government and it can actually because private schools cater to 40 percent of children in Pakistan. Over the years, the provincial governments in Pakistan have been recognising and appreciating the support extended by private schools in the field of education. However, it would have been perfect had the governments really worked to regulate affairs of private education institutes. No doubt, private and quality education is not cheap anywhere in the world. But the fact should also be realised that private sector does not work without any rules and regulations anywhere in the world!