ISLAMABAD — On Monday, the Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education expressed serious concern over the “uncontrolled increase in private school fees” and directed relevant authorities to ensure strict enforcement of regulations to reduce the financial burden on parents.
The meeting, chaired by Senator Bushra Anjum Butt, reviewed in detail the violations of regulations by the Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PEIRA).
The committee noted that despite clear directives, several private schools in Islamabad have raised their fees far beyond the permitted limit. Under PEIRA’s regulations, private schools are allowed to increase fees by a maximum of 5% annually, while high-performing institutions may raise them by up to 8%. However, according to the committee’s findings, many elite schools have increased fees by as much as 12%, in direct violation of the 2021 notification.
Senator Bushra Anjum Butt termed the unregulated fee hikes “unacceptable” and directed schools charging unfair fees of Rs50,000 or more to immediately revise their challans. She also sought an updated list from PEIRA of schools that exceeded the approved fee increase limit.
PEIRA officials informed the committee that private schools are not permitted to compel parents to purchase books or uniforms from specific vendors, and any violation of this policy will result in action.
The committee emphasized that strict measures must be taken against institutions violating fee determination rules to protect parents from financial stress.
It further stated that firm action against the exploitative practices of private educational institutions is essential to ensure that education is promoted as a social service rather than a commercial enterprise.
