Despite strong resistance from private schools, the federal government on Tuesday through an announcement made it clear that no increase in schools tuition fee to be allowed for the current year.
State Minister for Education and Professional Training Mohammad Baleegh-Ur-Rehman said that some private schools had increased tuition fee by over 30 percent which is not justifiable. Sindh government has allowed 10 percent increase while Punjab provincial government issued an act under which school fee has been free zed for the current year while other provinces are considering different options in this regard, said the minister, adding that the federal government has decided not to allow any increase in private school fee for the current academic session.
The minister further said the government has decided to activate laws/rules to keep check on the educational standard of the private schools and other related matters. It is the responsibility of the government to do away with exploitation by the private schools, said the minister while addressing "Qaumi Taleemi Jirga" organised by Alif Ailaan here on Tuesday.
Education minister said that keeping in view the fiscal, human and infrastructure needs, education sector calls for reforms in totality. However it is encouraging that all the provincial governments earmarked over 25 percent of their budget for education, which was lauded by international organisations as well. He further said that teachers play a pivotal role in the development of education sector and government is focusing on it. The government has earmarked Rs 100 million for standardisation of all educational boards while Rs 80 billion has been earmarked for Higher Education Commission during the current fiscal year, the minister added.
Fauzia Kasuri of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said that all governments and policy-makers are responsible for not delivering standard education in the country. It is the reasonability of the government to provide best teachers and infrastructure which is required for quality education. She further said that due to government failure for not providing quality education, a vacuum was created, which was filled by private schools.
District Nazim Swat Mohammad Ali Shah said 6000 students who passed matric examination this year, could not get admission due to low marks and shortage of colleges. Class-system has been introduced which ruined the education system in the country, he added.