SHC reserves verdict on recent hike in schools' tuition fee
In October last year, the high court declared the 15% to 20% rise in tuition fee by private schools illegal
PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN/EXPRESS
KARACHI:
The Sindh High Court (SHC) reserved on Monday its verdict on a plea challenging the recent hike in the tuition fee of private schools, which is more than the 5% legally permissible per annum.
In October last year, the high court had declared the 15% to 20% hike in tuition fee by private schools illegal. The court had further ruled that private schools could not increase the tuition fee beyond 5% per year.
While deciding identical petitions filed by the parents and the private schools management against and in favour of the fee hike, the judges had also directed the provincial education department to strictly act in accordance with the law and submit quarterly reports to the court in respect of the registered private schools' audit as well as enforcement of the 5% rule.
Irked by fee spikes, parents set to stage protests
On Monday, however, the parents of some students moved an application informing that the schools had once again raised the tuition fee illegally, in violation of the order passed by the court.
Meanwhile, the additional advocate-general produced a copy of the gazzettee notification issued by the education department secretary.
The law officer argued that the privately-run schools management could not increase the tuition fee beyond 5% in light of the notification. Therefore, he argued that the raise in fee beyond 5%, as permitted by the government in the notification, will be illegal and unlawful.
After hearing arguments, the bench reserved its verdict to be announced on a date to be later notified by the office.
The Sindh High Court (SHC) reserved on Monday its verdict on a plea challenging the recent hike in the tuition fee of private schools, which is more than the 5% legally permissible per annum.
In October last year, the high court had declared the 15% to 20% hike in tuition fee by private schools illegal. The court had further ruled that private schools could not increase the tuition fee beyond 5% per year.
While deciding identical petitions filed by the parents and the private schools management against and in favour of the fee hike, the judges had also directed the provincial education department to strictly act in accordance with the law and submit quarterly reports to the court in respect of the registered private schools' audit as well as enforcement of the 5% rule.
Irked by fee spikes, parents set to stage protests
On Monday, however, the parents of some students moved an application informing that the schools had once again raised the tuition fee illegally, in violation of the order passed by the court.
Meanwhile, the additional advocate-general produced a copy of the gazzettee notification issued by the education department secretary.
The law officer argued that the privately-run schools management could not increase the tuition fee beyond 5% in light of the notification. Therefore, he argued that the raise in fee beyond 5%, as permitted by the government in the notification, will be illegal and unlawful.
After hearing arguments, the bench reserved its verdict to be announced on a date to be later notified by the office.