Authority set up to regulate private schools

Newly-formed body to approve new schools, handle renewals, determine fees

RAWALPINDI:

The Ministry of Education has established a five-member District Education Registration Authority to facilitate the registration process for new private schools, handle renewals, determine fees, and promptly address issues. According to sources, these authorities have been established in every district.

In a recent notification, it has been made mandatory for new private schools and academies to obtain Building Fitness Certificates from the Sub Divisional Officer (SDO) of the Building Department.

Building certificates issued by private builders and engineers will no longer be acceptable. Furthermore, as per the new notification, the deputy commissioner will serve as the chairman of the District Schools Registration Authority.

The Chief Executive Officer of the District Education Authority will act as the secretary and a member of the committee.

Additionally, the district monitoring officer has been designated as a member, along with a representative from the parents' community and another representative from the private schools association.

The deputy commissioner will nominate these two representatives, as per new rules. The committee's responsibilities include conducting visits to new schools, inspecting building fitness, setting fees, and addressing any concerns or objections raised by private schools.

The education secretary has issued strict instructions to all district school registration authorities to ensure the approval process for new schools is completed before the end of the summer vacation.

This initiative has been well received by the private schools’ associations of the Rawalpindi district, who have also requested immediate permission to open new schools for a duration of one year, along with the approval of all pending applications from private schools. On the other hand, Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaqat Ali Chatha has said that to make any organisation successful, the intention and role of its head are more important than the resources.

He said college principals have a dual responsibility as they are empowered to take a strict approach to running administrative affairs.

He expressed these views while addressing a meeting of Government College Principals at the commissioner's office.

He said it should be our priority to provide the best educational facilities to our youth that are at par with private educational institutions.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 8^th, 2023.