Private school fined Rs5m for 'illegal' fees

The Directorate of Private Institutions Sindh has imposed a Rs5 million fine on Al-Fajr Academy for charging illegal fees and directed the school to refund the overcharged amounts to parents.

The action followed a complaint by a parent, Zohaib Yousufi, who alleged the school had increased tuition fees without approval, demanded advance payments, and levied arbitrary charges for stationery, supplies, and other activities.

In this regard, Additional Director, Rafia Mallah, issued a warning letter to Al-Fajr Academy. In which the head of the school was told that a team consisting of monitoring and inspection officers visited Al-Fajr Academy on November 27, 2024 and it was revealed that the school was illegally collecting fees from the students under various forms. Additional fees were being charged in the name of stationary, school bags, different courses and field trips.

She said that an inquiry committee, formed under Rule 18 of the Sindh Private Educational Institutions Rules 2005, confirmed the violations. It was found that the school charged Rs35,000 per month in tuition fees, exceeding the approved Rs 28,150. Additional fees for books, bags, field trips, and a "parent training fee" were also identified.