The Punjab School Education Department has confirmed that it does not have the legal authority to determine the fees charged by private schools across the province. The clarification was given during a meeting of the Punjab Assembly Standing Committee on School Education.
Department officials explained that the current legal framework only allows them to regulate annual fee increases. They said the law does not give them the power to decide or approve the original fee structure set by private educational institutions.
According to the officials, private schools are allowed to increase their fees by only 4% to 5% each year. If a school exceeds this limit, the department can take action under the existing rules. However, it cannot interfere with the initial fees decided by the institution.
The issue was discussed during the committee meeting after lawmakers questioned the department’s role in regulating private schools. The committee chairman noted that the department had presented a different position during an earlier session.
In response, officials clarified that there had been no change in policy. They explained that their authority has always been limited to controlling annual fee increases rather than setting school fees.
Members of the committee expressed concern over the department’s limited powers. They questioned why stronger action could not be taken against private schools when the department has the authority to register educational institutions.
One committee member argued that schools should not be allowed to start operations without proper oversight. The member said that opening a school should require more than basic facilities and should meet clear regulatory standards.
The member also said that if the department has the authority to approve school registrations, it should also be able to ensure effective monitoring and accountability. Committee members stressed the importance of maintaining proper checks and balances in the education sector.
The meeting also focused on the rising cost of private education in Punjab. Lawmakers said some private schools charge fees ranging from thousands to hundreds of thousands, making quality education difficult for many families to afford.
Committee members raised concerns that high tuition fees place a heavy financial burden on parents, especially those from low-income households. They said affordable education should remain a priority and called for stronger oversight of private institutions.
One member demanded strict action against schools that violate the rules. The member suggested that the registrations of institutions found breaking regulations should be canceled to ensure compliance with the law.
Officials from the department maintained that they can only enforce the provisions available under the current legislation. Any expansion of their authority would require changes to the existing legal framework governing private schools.
The discussion highlighted the ongoing debate over private school fees and government regulation in Punjab. While the department can monitor yearly fee increases, it confirmed that it cannot legally decide the original fees charged by private educational institutions.
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The committee is expected to continue reviewing the matter as concerns about rising education costs and access to affordable schooling remain important issues for families across the province.
