Private Schools in Punjab Raise Fees and Introduce Additional Charges, Burdening Parents
As the new academic year begins in Punjab, numerous private schools have raised their fees significantly and introduced substantial annual charges, causing an additional financial burden for parents.
Reports from parents reveal that monthly fees have increased by Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 2,000, and annual charges as high as Rs. 20,000 have been demanded. These actions are reportedly in violation of existing government regulations, leaving many parents frustrated.
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In addition, several prominent school chains have introduced transport charges, following a Lahore High Court directive that mandates schools to provide transportation services to students. However, some schools are demanding up to Rs. 30,000 from parents for a transport fund, further escalating costs.
Despite these actions, district education authorities and the provincial school education ministry have been unable to curb these unauthorized fee hikes. Kashif Adeeb Jawadani, president of the All Pakistan Private Schools Management Association, defended the fee increases, claiming they were in line with legal provisions and institutional policies.
The schools resumed on January 13 after an extended winter break and immediately issued notices for additional payments, despite the private schools ordinance prohibiting charges beyond tuition and examination fees.
The Punjab government has proposed outsourcing public schools but has yet to take action on the issue of unregulated fee hikes by private institutions. Recently, a Punjab Assembly member submitted an adjournment motion addressing the unchecked fee increases, labeling private school owners as a powerful, unregulated group.
Meanwhile, Rana Liaqat Ali, Secretary General of the Punjab Teachers Union, voiced opposition to outsourcing, arguing that privatization would undermine government oversight and risk making quality education inaccessible due to the rising costs of education and essential goods.
