Private schools split on providing fee discounts

One body voices support for govt move, other calls on govt to take notice of their dire situation

RAWALPINDI: Private schools operating in Punjab are split on a decision taken by the provincial government to offer concessions in the monthly fees of students during the two-month closure announced by the government as part of the measures to arrest the spread of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

With a general lockdown in the province extended by 14 days, the government had already directed to keep schools closed for April and May and to treat this time as summer vacations. Schools were told not to charge advanced fees.

Now, the Punjab government has asked private schools to voluntarily offer a 20 per cent discount in the monthly fees of April and May given the financial strains that many parents may be facing due to the ongoing lockdown.

The All Pakistan Private School Management (APSM) has voiced support for the government’s decision while noting the difficulties they may face.

APSM President Abrar Ahmed hailed the government’s decision to offer a discount to parents under the current scenario while reminding the government that private schools will face several difficulties in implementing this decision.

Ahmed, however, said that the government should allow schools in the province to open for administrative purposes, especially in the 35 districts of Punjab just as it had allowed in Rawalpindi. He further called on the government to offer schools a relaxation in the payment of their utility bills.

Opposition

However, another body of private schools and colleges in the country has termed the government’s decision in stark contrast to ground realities.

The All Pakistan Private Schools and Colleges Association (APSCA) Punjab Chapter President Raja Muhammad Ilyas chaired on Monday an emergency meeting of the association to review the situation.

Addressing the participants, he urged Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed to take notice of the matter.

He demanded that they bring an end to the discriminatory practices with private educational institutions.

Ilyas added that around 10 million children in Punjab are already out-of-school and that keeping them closed for longer could further hamper their efforts to bring these children into schools.

The APSCA regional president further expressed his doubts that around 50 per cent of parents of students enrolled in their schools, will not be able to pay the monthly fee due to the ongoing lockdown and closure of businesses in the country while schools will have to face problems in bearing monthly expenses such as paying salaries of teachers and staff, utility bills and rent.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 7^th, 2020.