Private schools barred from collecting advance fee

KARACHI:

The Sindh Education Department on Friday issued a directive to ease the financial burden on parents and students by barring private schools from charging additional advance fees. The Directorate of Inspection and Private Institutions circulated an official letter to this effect, which aims to provide financial relief and support to families.

Under the new policy, private schools are allowed to collect tuition fees from matric students only up to April. This directive was communicated by Additional Director Registration, Private Institutions Sindh Rafia Javed, who stressed the importance of adhering to these instructions.

The directive stems from a circular issued on December 23, 2024, following decisions made by the Steering Committee concerning the 2025 annual examinations for Grades IX and X, and the start of the new academic session. According to the circular, schools can charge fees from matric students only until April, as the annual exam for Grades IX and X are scheduled for March.

As for students from pre-primary to Grade IX, and those promoted from Grade IX to X in 2025, vouchers for June fees should be issued in April, while July fees should be issued in May. These payments are due by June and July, respectively.