Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar Sunday forwarded the case of inordinate fees charged by private schools to a three-member bench of the Supreme Court (SC).
The hearing was convened by the CJP at SC’s Lahore Registry in which parents and children were also present.
Parents argued that judicial orders regarding a cut in fee hike by the private schools were not being implemented and these schools were still charging huge fees. They said that education for children should be cheap and the court should deliver justice for the future of the children.
Earlier this month, Justice Nisar hinted at carrying out a forensic audit of prominent private schools.
“Private schools are looting masses in the name of facilities,” remarked CJP.
CJP asked: “Who regulates the private schools, why should we not carry out the forensic audit of such schools?”
“Public education system has collapsed due to wrong policies,” the CJP remarked.
Counsel of the private schools informed the apex court that increment in fees was subject to the approval of the registration authority following which the CJP asked private schools to present their fee structure.
Declaring the case maintainable, the chief justice had made eight private schools as respondents in the case.
Earlier on September 18, the apex court had decided to club cases pertaining to private schools pending in high courts and the SC. The top court also ordered that notices be issued to private schools for increasing fee.
According to the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, “All decisions pertaining to education will fall under the domain of provincial governments, which are also responsible for the curriculum and all other matters pertaining to schools.”
Earlier, a full bench of the Sindh High Court (SHC) had declared that increasing private schools’ tuition fee more than five per cent of the last fee schedule was illegal. The court also directed the schools to either refund the excess amount or adjust it in future fees within three months.
