Several private schools being run by untrained, unqualified people

Low fee structure schools are imperative as they provide affordable options for many

ISLAMABAD: Vulnerability is a source of exploitation and this weakness is fully cashed in by private schools, especially opened to attract middle and lower middle classes considering their financial worth, where over 70 percent of teachers are untrained or even unqualified.

The mushroom growth of these institutions at every nook and cranny of the country is a testimony to the fact that the business is highly lucrative and the owners of the establishments feel in no way bound to any moral or professional obligation.

Therefore they continue to fleece parents, claiming to impart quality education while holding bare minimum training and qualification.

But the most attractive offer is the curriculum, being acclaimed to be prepared in accordance with the international standards of Oxford and Cambridge.

"I am a Punjab University graduate and a government employee and my son was studying in a local private school. In an annual parent-teacher meeting it came of utmost shock to me to discover that my child’s class teacher was simply a matric graduate without having any training or experience of teaching.

I withdrew my son and enrolled him in a nearby public school as a last affordable option" said Muntazir Abbas a resident of Khanna Town. "Now I give him a couple of hours of teaching, myself at home," he added.

"What could be more deplorable than a matric graduate with no prior work experience running a private high school as a Principal in the vicinity of Ashraf Town where over 300 children are being imparted education in a rented building?" a resident of the area Tariq Malik said while expressing dismay.

Despite the tall claims of school owners saying their establishments carry high standards of education it was still the parents' pain to arrange a tutor for their children if they could not spare time themselves, these were unanimous views by Erum Shaheen, Sikander Hussain and Naila Shah, residents of Rawalpindi.

The Private Schools Network President, when contacted said a plan of regulating all private schools and to bring them under some certain obligations was in the making and public concern in this regard would be addressed and resolved soon.

"Action will be taken by authorities against any school violating set standards," he added. Private Institutional Education Regulatory Authority (PIERA) Caretaker Chairman Imtiaz Ali admitting to the prevailing situation said the body was not able to cope with it due to some legal and administrative hitches and limitations. He further said that every private school charging high fees will be forced to rationalise its fee structure and strict action would be taken against violators.

Imtiaz Ali however said the role of low fee structure schools was imperative as they were affordable options for the middle and lower middle classes and playing their part in improving country's literacy rate.

He also pledged to monitor teachers' skills and introduce a programme to enhance their proficiency in this noble occupation.

Najeeba Arif, a renowned author/educationist, said it was the state's responsibility to ensure affordable quality education to every citizen which was unfortunately not available and in current circumstance; therefore private institutions' role was more important.

She however stressed that teachers must be provided with training and said deputation of qualified professionals should be enforced by the quarters concerned to nurture future generations.  

Published in The Express Tribune, November 2^nd, 2018.