Schools continue collecting advance summer tuition

This is a direct violation of orders previously issued by Punjab government

LAHORE: Several private schools have devised ‘clever’ methods to work around Punjab government orders which forbid them from collecting summer tuition in advance.

Several parents, wishing to remain anonymous lest their children face backlash, spoke to The Express Tribune regarding this matter.

A man, whose child studies in Dar-e-Arqam School in Johar Town, revealed that he was given separate bills for the months of May, June, July and August. When questioned about the anomaly, the school insisted he submit the fees for the months of May and June.

“How can the schools flaunt the orders of the government after they have been barred from collecting summer tuition in advance?” he questioned.

Another father, whose children are enrolled in Siqarah Education System in Township, said that he had been duped into paying the summer tuition in advance. Comparing the fee voucher from the previous academic year with the one issued this year, he noticed one stark difference.

I noted that the voucher for this year did not specify the exact months. However, I was told beforehand that if I failed to submit the fee by the set deadline, the school would not release the homework for summer vacation, he expressed.



Parents Action Committee (PAC) General Secretary Sajeel Usmani revealed that many have been facing such issues, which are now being taken up by the government officials concerned. He said that he also received three separate vouchers; all of which bore the same date for submitting the fees, something which he refused to do.

PAC has lodged a complaint with the Punjab School Education Department (SED) and has highlighted the issue, he added.

“We were assured by the school that a revised fee voucher will be issued according to the orders of the government,” he maintained.

PAC sent a letter to the SED secretary, making him aware of the situation. After this, the SED issued a letter to the CEOs of private schools in order to curb this practice, he revealed. PAC will also go to court to fight against this issue, he added.

All Pakistan Private Schools Management Association (APPSMA) President Kashif Adeeb Jawadani said that majority of the private schools were following the governments directives, charging fees on a monthly basis during the months of summer.

“However, if any school is violating these orders, parents can register a complaint on the SED’s website,” he maintained.

Further, some parents themselves have requested they be given a single voucher for all three months which schools have accommodated.

“Private schools are legally and morally obliged to follow the orders of the government as well as those of the Lahore High Court,” he exclaimed.

Lahore District Education Authority Chief Executive Officer Bashir Ahmed Goraya maintained that strict action will be taken against any school found violating the orders.

“We have made public announcements urging parents to not pay the summer tuition in advance and to immediately file a complaint to the department. We are also sending notices to schools who are found violating orders, while also fining them Rs20,000 per day until they return the money they have collected so far,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 17^th, 2018.