By Beenish Atif
ISLAMABAD, Oct 25 (APP):Parents of children enrolled in private educational institutions in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad have requested the concerned quarters to take action against schools charging an annual fund in every new academic session.
According to the details, parents have complained that despite clear regulations by the Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PEIRA), several private schools in Islamabad and Rawalpindi are allegedly charging admission fees, security fees, and other miscellaneous charges at the start of every new session under different heads, putting an additional financial burden on families.
The parents have complained that this practice has become routine, where schools demand a lump sum amount ranging from Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000 at the time of promotion to the next class, in addition to monthly tuition fee.
They said that many schools were charging the fee in the name of annual charges, re-admission fee, or promotion fee, which was in violation of rules.
Talking to APP, a parent, Muhammad Asif, whose two children study in a private school in G-11, said every year in March they receive a fee voucher that includes an admission fee despite the fact that his children are old students. “We pay Rs 30,000 per child as annual charges. When we ask the administration, they say it is a system fee. It is not affordable for a middle-class family,” he said.
He stated that his children’s school increased annual charges by 40 percent this year without any justification. “There is no check on these schools. We have submitted complaints to PEIRA, but no action is being taken as yet,” he alleged.
Another mother of a child, Mrs Sadia, said she had to pay Rs 75,000 for her two children at the start of the new session. “My children have been studying in the same school for three years, but we are still asked to pay annual charges every year. The concerned regulator should take its notice,” she demanded.
If a child is already admitted, why charge admission or annual fee again? It is just a money-making tactic, she remarked.
Parents said that in some cases, schools also withhold results and roll numbers if the annual fee is not deposited on time.
Parents have urged the authority concerned to take stern action against violators, conduct an audit of fee structures of private schools, and ensure refund of illegally charged amounts. They also demanded a uniform fee policy and a transparent complaint redressal mechanism so that parents are not harassed for raising their voice.
They said that strict implementation of rules and regular monitoring could provide much-needed relief to thousands of parents who are already burdened by inflation and rising cost of education.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
