‘No rules exist’ for fixing fees in Punjab private schools

It has been revealed that there are no rules and regulations regarding the determination of fee collection by the private educational institutions in Punjab, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Saturday.

The School Education Department admitted in the Punjab Assembly Standing Committee on School Education that the regulatory system for setting fees for private schools in Punjab does not exist at all.

The department cannot determine fees and only rules for annual increase exist.

According to the law, private schools cannot increase fees by more than 4 to 5 percent annually.

Chairman Standing Committee said that a different position was adopted in the last meeting. 

According to the law, we only have the authority to control the increase in fees, School Education Department replied.

A Standing Committee member asked if there is the authority of registration, then why not take action on violations? 

It is not possible for someone to open a school by just putting up a chair and a table anywhere, committee member said.

Committee member said if the School Education Department can allow the opening of a school, it can also have checks and balances.

Private schools charge thousands of lakhs in fees, no poor child can get admission there, Committee member said.

He demanded to cancel the registration of schools that do not follow the rules.

Reporter: Rao Dilshad Hussain