IHC rejects petition against fee reduction

IHC rejects petition against a 20 percent reduction in private educational institutions’ fees

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has rejected a petition against a 20 per cent reduction in private educational institutions’ fees in the federal capital.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah pronounced the verdict in which he said that the private school association (PSA), if it deems fit, should contact National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), as it was the body that is overseeing policy matters during the coronavirus pandemic.

PSA had challenged the notification of the Ministry of Education regarding a 20 per cent cut in April and May school fee.

A day ago, IHC had reserved its verdict regarding the maintainability of a petition against a 20 per cent reduction in fees of private educational institutions of the federal capital.

During the hearing presided over by Justice Minallah on Wednesday, the court ordered the counsel of the Private Schools Association (PSA) to read aloud the notification of the Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PEIRA).

The counsel had stated that they have three objections. She said that the students were still taking online classes and the teachers were performing their jobs as usual while the schools were still paying rentals as there has been no reduction in expenses for private educational institutions.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 7^th, 2021.