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LAHORE: The Punjab government has issued a stern warning to proprietors and administrators of private schools in Lahore, cautioning them against coercing parents into providing additional funds beyond monthly school fees or compelling purchases of uniforms and books from designated outlets.
In an official notice addressed to private schools and endorsed by Lahore’s Deputy Commissioner, Rafia Haider, the District Registration Authority emphasized adherence to Section 7A(7) and (10) of The Punjab Private Educational Institutions (Promotion and Regulation) Ordinance 1984. The notice explicitly states that private schools are only permitted to charge tuition and admission fees and are prohibited from mandating purchases of uniforms and books from specific vendors.
Haider, who also serves as the chairperson of the District Registration Authority, directed Lahore’s Education CEO, Pervez Akhtar, to issue warning notices to all private educational institutions in the district. This directive aims to ensure strict compliance with the regulations.
Expressing her concern, Haider highlighted instances where certain schools, like LACAS School, admitted to charging additional technology fees beyond tuition and admission charges. Furthermore, the school management mandated the purchase of books and uniforms solely from their approved vendors. Consequently, Haider instructed the CEO of the District Education Authority to issue a warning notice to LACAS School for violating the ordinance.
Akhtar affirmed that any complaints received would result in action taken against the offending school under clauses 9 and 11 of the law. He emphasized that parents should not be compelled to purchase books, reiterating that action would be taken against any private school found soliciting funds beyond uniform purchases or monthly fees.
