The All Pakistan Private Schools Federation has rejected the Punjab government's proposal of voluntarily giving 20% discount in the monthly fees of April and May.
While talking to Business Recorder, President All Pakistan Schools Federation Kashif Mirza said that it was not possible for the schools to give discount on the fees because majority of schools are being run in rented buildings and they also have to pay electricity and other utility bills on commercial rates besides paying salaries to teachers.
He suggested the federal government and Punjab governments to bear 100% expenses of the private schools. "Associations of private schools in KP and Sindh governments had given these suggestions to their governments and they are working on it," he added.
Talking to Business Recorder, a number of parents said that the government should take the matter seriously and direct the private schools to reduce fee by at least 50 percent if it could not force the schools to waive off complete fee.
Zahid, a father of two, said the school his daughter was going to, kept sending messages to deposit the fee at the earliest. He said the government should ensure the schools do not force parents to deposit full fee and also not in lump sum because of the prevailing situation.
Another citizen, Ali, said private schools used to earn throughout the year and now when schools were closed they should not charge fee at all rather they should support the government in its fight against coronavirus.
Meanwhile, the provincial schools education department issued a notification for extension of holidays till 31-5-2020. As per the notification, the holidays will be treated as summer vacations.
The department also recommended the government to promote all students of public schools from Class 1 to Class 8 to next grades on the basis of submission of homework which has yet to be shared with the students.
Earlier, the Punjab government sought suggestions from private schools owners in 48 hours in a bid to give relief to the students in form of discounted fees. The decision was taken in a meeting of special committee headed by Provincial Minister for Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Social Welfare Raja Basharat.
Provincial Minister for Schools Education Murad Rass and Secretary Schools Shehryar Sultan and private schools owners also attended the meeting.
Raja Basharat said the Coronavirus has impacted everyone, so private school owners should voluntarily give a discount of at least 20% in the monthly fees of April and May. He said after the proposals of school owners, the chief minister Punjab would take the final decision regarding concession in fees.