Education racket

Education is a fundamental right but it seems to be becoming a privilege available only to the wealthy. The staggering rise in school fees and other related costs, such as books, uniforms and transport, are pulling families into a corner. Now they have to make the impossible decision of cutting down on household expenses or sacrificing their children’s education. Private schools raise tuition fees almost every year for no reason and the public schools are still not aided enough to keep up. So middle class and low-income families have very little choice. Schools also find loopholes in regulations to continue with raising tuition fees and parents have to comply. Further investment in improving public schools and scholarships for needy students can help ensure quality education remains accessible to all. If we do not fix this now, we risk creating a generation deprived of learning and opportunities.

Mahnoor Fatima

Karachi