PHC orders not followed by Private schools

PHC orders not followed by Private schools

A majority of private schools, especially the elite and bigger chains, are collecting hefty amount of charges in the name of admission fee, annual charges, and other fees in flagrant violation of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) orders and subsequent notification by the Private Schools Regulatory Authority (PSRA).

The PSRA has been unable to implement its notification as well as the court orders. Although the authorities are aware of the parents' concerns, they are powerless to take action against the schools.

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According to a senior official with the organisation, they have the right to levy severe penalties, close recalcitrant schools, and cancel their registration. However, they were hesitant to do so for fear of school closures and, as a result, a waste of pupils' time.

Furthermore, the majority of parents are uninformed of the court orders and PSRA notices, and they are obliged to pay the illegal charges. Those who are aware of the court orders and PSRA directions are compelled to pay the fees since they have no other options for their children's education.

The PSRA was also ordered to issue a formal notification for the purpose by the court.

"It is hereby reiterated that charging an admission fee, annual fee, and capitation fee is not only a clear violation of KP-PSRA Regulation 2018, but also a violation of the above-quoted Peshawar High Court judgement, and any violation on the part of a delinquent school may invoke contempt of court," the PSRA stated in its notification.

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The majority of criticisms are directed on elite schools such as Beaconhouse School System, City Schools, Bloomfield, and larger chains such as Peshawar Model School and others.

Peshawar Model School has 30 campuses in the province, with over 30,000 students enrolled in 18 schools, 11 institutions, and one university. Annual fees, registration costs, and security fees total Rs25,000 per student.

The PSRA specifically instructed the school's administration to stop collecting capitation fees from pupils.