School fee hike case: SHC asks public prosecutor to submit arguments

An increase of more than 5% in fees is illegal, says additional advocate-general

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court directed on Monday the public prosecutor to submit arguments in the school fee increase case.

Hearing of the pleas regarding the increase in school fee was heard by a three-member bench.

The school owners' lawyer observed that the owners themselves can increase fee. According to the 2005 and 2015 gazette, the school fee can be increased. The school owners are, however, obliged to inform the government about the fee increase.



The parents' lawyer observed that providing education is sacred work, but the owners of schools have turned it into a profitable business. It is the government's responsibility to educate children between five and 16 years of age.

Justice Aqeel Abbasi remarked that children's education is the government's responsibility, but it is unfortunately unable to fulfill it. Due to the government's negligence, the private sector is working for education.

Additional Advocate-General Shabbir Shah said that fee can be increased with the approval of the government. The government did not allow any school to increase its fee, he said.

An increase of more than 5% in the fees charged by schools is illegal, he said, adding that an increase by more than this is a violation of law.

The plaintiff's lawyer said that schools were not issuing a new challan despite court orders.



Increased fee between 7% and 10% is being charged by various private schools, which stands in violation of court orders. School owners and parents' lawyer completed their arguments and the public prosecutor has to submit arguments at the next hearing.

The hearing was adjourned till May 31.