Fee hike: Private schools, colleges divorce RBISE

Over 1,000 institutes expected to associate with federal board within one year.

RAWALPINDI: Continuous hike in various non-tuition fees by the Rawalpindi Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (RBISE) has compelled private schools and colleges to end their relationship with the board and seek affiliation with the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE).

As many as 100 educational institutions in Rawalpindi Division have been affiliated with the FBISE so far, while the All Pakistan Private Schools Management Association (APPSMA) has also decided to disassociate itself from the Rawalpindi board.

APPSMA Divisional President Abrar Ahmed Khan confirmed that educational institutes in Rawalpindi, Wah, Taxila, Attock, Hasanabdal, Jhelum and Attock are now affiliated with the FBISE. According to Khan, over 1,000 schools and colleges in the division are expected to associate themselves with FBISE within the next year.

Khan commented that the FBISE is not only cheaper in terms of fees, but is also a more reputed, exemplary board with an excellent academic record. “Every year, the FBISE announces its matriculation results within the stipulated period of eight weeks, while the Rawalpindi board, like other education boards in Punjab, has turned into a den of problems,” he commented.

He further said that the tuition fees of affiliated schools have been increased by up to 500 times due to the Punjab government’s decision to exempt public school students from paying any fees.

“At the same time, the standard of RBISE is deteriorating constantly and a growing number of students are forced to get their exams rechecked every year while the online system to announce results has also failed to provide any relief to students,” he commented.

Lecturers promoted

Meanwhile, the Punjab Higher Education Department has decided to promote 74 lecturers serving in public universities from Grade 17 to Grade 18.

The promoted lecturers will serve as assistant professors at their respective institutes. The promotions will take place in two phases. In the first phase, all male lecturers have been promoted, while the notification for female lecturers will be issued till September 5.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 25^th, 2012.