Karachi private schools have been directed by Sindh authorities to reverse a controversial fee increases, with officials warning of legal action over unauthorized charges.
Additional Director General Private Institutions Sindh, Professor Rafia Mallah, issued a letter to the heads of all private schools, taking serious notice of fee hikes and the collection of additional charges by private educational institutions.
The letter says that the department had received complaints that some private schools were charging parents more than the tuition fees approved by the registration authority, while some institutions were also collecting additional and hidden charges beyond the approved fee structure.
According to the letter, all private school administrators and principals have been informed that collecting any type of fee other than tuition fees without prior approval from the registration authority is a clear violation of Rule 7(4) of the Sindh Private Educational Institutions (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2005. Under this rule, any fee other than tuition fees can only be collected after approval from the registration authority.
The letter further says that, under Rule 7(6), charging tuition fees in violation of the rules or collecting any other fees without approval from the registration authority is a punishable offence under Section 21 of the Sindh Private Educational Institutions Regulation and Control Ordinance, 2001. In such cases, the concerned institution may be subject to penalties.
Professor Rafia Mallah has strictly directed all private school administrators and principals to collect only those fees that have been approved by the registration authority.
Schools have also been instructed to prominently display details of approved fees on their notice boards and at reception areas, and provide copies to parents upon request so that students and parents remain fully informed about the approved fee structure.
