All the Chief Executive Officers (CEO) of districts have been directed to ensure implementation of Supreme Court directions about excessive fee charged by private schools, the Lahore High Court was told by Punjab schools and education department on Thursday. Earlier the secretary schools education submitted a report before the court in a petition against increase in fees by private schools which said there shall be no deviation, digression or delay in this regard.
The report further said that the CEOs had also been ordered to immediately set up a complaint cell and convene meetings of respective district registering authorities. It said the CEOs had been directed to direct private schools to provide their latest fee voucher to know if the private schools were adhering to law. "In case of default or complaint, immediate and stern action shall be initiated by DRAs against the defaulter private school under intimation to the office of secretary schools education department," the report said.
It said the authorities will ensure that children's right to education guaranteed under Article 25-A of the Constitution was not infringed upon by anyone and their education should not be disturbed due to any reason and under any circumstances. Earlier, Abdullah Malik appeared on behalf the petitioner and said the private schools had become an industry and they were only interested in filling their pockets.
The lawyer pointed out that the SC had ordered for reduction of fees by 20 percent. He complained that the government had been failed to enforce the judgment leading to miseries of the parents.