IHC dismisses another petition against 20 per cent school tuition fee concession

Justice Amir Farooq directs petitioner to approach PEIRA

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday dismissed a petition filed against the government's directive asking schools to offer a 20 per cent concession in school fees for the months of April and May.

Justice Amir Farooq heard the petition filed by a private school, and directed it to approach the Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PEIRA) against the decision.

The court said concerns of private schools must be heard pertaining to the 20 per cent concession, before any decision is made.

The court had previously also dismissed a petition filed by the Private Schools Association regarding the matter.

Earlier this month, private schools in the federal capital were directed to offer a concession of at least 20 per cent in their monthly tuition fee for April and May.

Sindh High Court suspends 20% tuition fee concession

Moreover, schools were strictly directed to only collect the fees monthly and not charge advance fees for the two months together.

A notification to this effect was issued by PEIRA listing new standard operating procedures (SOPs) for private educational institutions (PEIs) – up to higher secondary or equivalent level – during this period and directing them to ensure the implementation of the new directions.

Schools have been closed in the federal capital until May 31 as part of precautionary measures instituted by the federal government against the novel coronavirus (Covid-19). This period is to be treated as summer vacations at the educational institutions in the city.

The notification read that the concession must be granted “as a financial relief to the parents or guardians [of students] due to suspension of business and related activities [as a] result of a nation-wide lockdown owing to the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic.”