After PM’s nod: Private schools may be allowed to increase fee

The minister says that the government recognised the important role of private institutes in education sector

ISLAMABAD: Private education institutes may be allowed to increase fee after the approval of the prime minister.

At a meeting with representatives and owners of private schools at on Wednesday, Minister for Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said that the fee structure of the private education institutes will not be lowered this year, as notified earlier.

The  Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PEIRA) last month notified rules setting an upper limit for monthly fee of Rs8,350 for matric, FA and FSc and Rs12,525 for O’ and A’ levels.

CADD Secretary Hasan Iqbal, PEIRA Chairman Musaddiq Ahmed and representatives of Islamabad rural areas’ private schools also attended the meeting.

The minister while thanking private schools for not raising the fee last year said this year increase in the fee structure would be considered after the approval of the prime minister.

The minister said that the government recognised the important role of private institutes in education sector.  “We endeavor to achieve a win-win situation wherein all stakeholder including parents and school owners should be satisfied,” the minister said.

He told the representatives that their proposals would be given due consideration and all practicable suggestions would be incorporated in PEIRA rules.

“Although, the minister verbally agreed that the fee will be maintained at the present level the notification still exists,” said Private Schools Association Islamabad Information Secretary Abdul Waheed.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 14^th, 2016.