Schools demand policy reform on fee structures

The All Pakistan Private Schools Management Association (APPSMA) has demanded that categories should be created in terms of fee collection of private educational institutions and policies should be implemented accordingly.

The association's office-bearers say the tragedy is that an educational institution, which is currently charging a fee of Rs500, is facing more than two dozen taxes. And the minimum wage law of Rs37,000 is also being applied to it.

Talking to the Express Tribune, APPSMA leaders Abrar Ahmad Khan, Waseem Safi, Adnan Nisar, Shakeel Akhtar, Shahid Yusuf, Anwarul Haq and Hasan Javed said that the prime minister has declared an educational emergency, but no practical measures have been seen.

"Parents, children and teachers are exhausted by the holidays, strikes and road closures from containers. Children are not given adequate time to study."

They demanded that the duration of teaching should be set as 180 days as per international standards and from the beginning of the academic session, the Punjab Education Department should issue a calendar regarding the holidays which should be strictly followed.

PPSMA leaders further said that only four months would be available for matric students in the current academic session, demanding the education boards revise the matriculation exam schedule and extend the date by one month.

They further demanded that all applications for new registration of private schools in the Rawalpindi district should be approved. "Presently 27 million children are out-of-schools in Punjab to bring them into schools, the registration system of private schools should be made easy, the educators said and demanded new taxes on private schools should be abolished and electricity bills should be reduced.