OKARA: A delegation comprising parents of District Public School & College (DPS&C) has expressed concern over 20pc increase in fee of the institution.

The parents led by Anwarul Haq, Advocate Muhammad Aslam Mughal and Advocate Rao Zulifqar Ali Khan on Thursday met the District Coordination Officer Kaisar Saleem, who is also ex-officio chairman of the institution’s Board of Governors (BoG) and conveyed to him their reservations towards the fee hike.

They sought withdrawal of the increase which according to them was unjustified.

The last increase in the fee was ordered by the BoG in 2012. The DCO told the parents that being an independent institution it was run with the amount collected through fees so it was not possible to withdraw the 20pc increase.

They suggested some cost cutting measures to the DCO, including the slashing of the staff.

However, the DCO rejected the suggestions and told the parents that those who could not afford to pay the increased monthly fee of their children should consider some other institution for them.

According to father of one of the students, DPS&C was collecting more than Rs15 million a month fee from the 7,500 morning and evening class students. He said there were more than 525 employees working for the institution and 150 of them were ‘quite unnecessary’.

He also objected to the riding club launched in the institution saying it was a mere luxury for the students with mostly middle class background. He demanded audit of the institution by independent auditors.

Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2014