KARACHI: Govt frames rules for private institutions
By Mukhtar Alam
KARACHI, Jan 17: The new rules pertaining to registration of private educational institutions in the province would be notified soon, said a source in the Sindh education department.
It was learnt that a draft of the rules, after a vetting by the provincial law department, was now available with the education department, which would be forwarded to the chief minister for approval.
The government would notify the rules, in exercise of the powers conferred by Sub-section (1) of 15 of the Sindh Private Educational Institution (Regulation and Control) (Amendment) Act 2003, which would come into effect immediately.
According to a source privy to the rules preparation process, one of the conditions for registration or renewal of private institutions - the establishment of endowment fund or furnishing of bank security to run the institution and meet the expenses/liability for at least one academic year in case institutions suffered any loss on account of any legal, management or financial issue - could not be incorporated as rules.
This (endowment fund) condition would now be included among the guidelines to be issued along with the rules and by-laws by the government for effective and transparent institutional governance or management, quality assurance, financial management, added the source.
Under the proposed rules, private educational institutions would be required to follow the government approved curricula, admission policy and fee structure.
It was further learnt that the Sindh education department would also devise a mechanism to determine the fee structure of schools, colleges, institutes and universities managed in the private sector.
However, it is likely that the control of private schools would lie with the district education offices, while colleges and institutions of higher learning and technical education would be monitored by the provincial education department, said an insider.
The private managements would also be required to grant full freeships to 10 per cent of the total strength of students in its educational institutions, in addition to concessions by it for deserving and meritorious students.
The certificate of registration shall be issued for a period of three years, which may be renewed on payment of fees.
The owner would also be required to submit a copy of the audit of accounts by certified auditors at the end of each academic year.
Every management of the institution shall be liable to provide either documents of ownership of the property in which the institutions is established, or a valid rent agreement, or trust documents, duly attested by the competent authority.
Under the proposed rules, an inspection committee with members from the provincial education department, education section of the district government and civil society, would be constituted for the purpose of registration of an institution or its renewal.
The committee shall, amongst others, inquire into the location of the institution, infrastructure that includes classrooms, laboratories, libraries, playgrounds, canteen, safe drinking water, and functional toilet facilities. It will also consider the suitability of tuition fees and subscription from students.
The management shall be liable to pay remuneration to its staff every month including the vacation period, while it would be required to issue a proper appointment order to each individual members of the teaching or non-teaching staff showing therein the designation along with the agreed salary.
