Capital’s private schools yet to reach consensus on fee structure. PHOTO: FILE
A group of four committees of private education institutes and the Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) have agreed on uniformity of curriculum, categorisation of schools on performance, but not on a uniform fee structure.
The consensus came last week in the meeting of four committees convened last November to devise and formulate a mechanism for private institutes in the capital.
The Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (Peira) Act was passed in 2013 to regulate these institutions and resolve issues the public was facing.
The number of private educational institutions in rural and urban areas of Islamabad has spiralled over the last few years. In 2007, the number of private institutions was 570, while there are an estimated 967 institutes at present, according to a CADD survey.
The conveners briefed CADD Secretary Faridullah Khan on the work they have done so far and the issues they had unanimously agreed on. The institutions informed the secretary that they had agreed that there will be grading of schools on an A to D scale, which in turn will depend on the qualification of teachers, curriculum, textbooks and all other amenities and services.
The secretary urged the committee members to submit the other recommendations by January 23 as it was taking time. Most of the delay seems to be over CADD’s desire to bring uniformity in the fee structure, which many private institutions oppose.
The second and final draft will be forwarded to PEIRA by the first week of February. These recommendations will then be transformed into a consensus-based document for further drafting, approval and notification of rules by Peira.
Head Start School Director Nazneen Murtaza, who is also convener of committee for uniform curricula, said that from grades one through 10, the curricula of the Government of Pakistan was satisfactory and faithful compliance to it was the next step.
Beaconhouse School System Executive Director Nasir Kasuri, the convener of the committee for structure and composition of Peira, requested that plots be provided to the private educational institutions for expansion. “I will write a letter to the CDA chairperson for cancellation of allotment of plots which were issued in the name of private educational institutions where no construction has been started as yet,” he said. He added that CDA would be asked to auction those plots to genuine private educational institutions and those working for provision of quality education.
To make the committees more effective, CADD has also involved parents in the committee to get the public feedback as well. One of the important suggestions from them was that every year admission, registration, and security fees were increased without any explanation or justification. The secretary replied that the important issue would be discussed by all four conveners in the next meeting of their respective committees.
Meanwhile, Murtaza proposed that Peira plan and carry out workshops for teachers during the summer break and make plans to conduct painting, music, drama and other physical and cultural activities. To this, Kasuri proposed that Beaconhouse would help Peira hold such workshops and programmes.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 21st, 2014.
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