SHC directs private schools to revert to fee structure before Sept 2017

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday ordered private schools to revert to the fee structure which was in place before September 20, 2017 and barred them from collecting three-month fee together.

As a bench heard contempt of court applications with regard to non-implementation of an earlier order against an over five percent hike in private schools’ annual tuition fee, Director General of the directorate of inspection of private schools Mansoob Siddiqui and others appeared before the court.

As the hearing went under way, the bench asked the counsel for private school owners regarding who issues the school fee chalan. “Where is the approval for the last free structure?” the bench further asked.

The counsel for the private school owners informed that approval was last sought for the fee structure in 2016.

At this, the bench said, “How is the increase in fee approved? Tell us about the revised chalan on school fee. The private school lobby is so strong that they do not consider anyone.”

“School fees were increased and it was said that they have applied for a free structure,” the bench added.

The counsel then said that in keeping with court orders, the fee was only increased by 5 percent.

Expressing anger over the counsel’s response, the bench stated, “You are not answering our questions. If we wanted, we would have indicted on contempt of court charges. We want to give you a chance to resolve the matter.”

“Private schools came into being owing to government’s failure and they are exploiting that,” the court remarked.

Further, the court said, “Three months were given to resolve the matter but instead the issue was made bigger. It seems that schools have charged so much that parents will not have to pay fee for the next three to four months.”

The counsel for private school owners then said, “We want the court to give such a decision which can be implemented.” In response, the court asked the counsel to provide such an order which could not be implemented on.

The court then ordered private schools to revert to the fee structure which was in place before September 20, 2017 and directed that any hike in fee after that date be adjusted.

The SHC bench also sought details of the money deposited in the Supreme Court.

Further, the court barred private schools from collecting three-month fee together at a time and sought a reply from DG private schools regarding the fee structure.

“DG private schools should inform us regarding the steps taken to implement court orders,” the bench stated.

The hearing of the case was then adjourned till December 17.