THIS refers to an advertisement ‘Private schools: the untold story’ (Sept 28). Over the last two years, fuel prices have come down resulting in a deflationary scenario. Electricity cost has not increased as much as stated.

Diesel cost has gone down by almost half and hence the operating cost of generators is lower than what it was two years ago. Since most of the commodities are linked with fuel prices, it would be reasonable to assume that inflation is not more than 8pc.

Within the last two years, the rate of interest has also gone down from 9.5 to 6pc. The annual 10pc raise is given to teachers on certain conditions. Summer vacation salary is stretched till November and December so that a teacher remains the ‘property’ of the school.

Fresh graduates are hired with no concerns about their expertise in the particular area. This cost-cutting technique has adversely affected the quality of education. New teachers are hired at lower salary package every year and given subjects like Islamiat, history, geography, and Urdu.

The fee charged for computer and science laboratory is higher than the facilities that are provided. Most of the computers are not in working condition and for printing assignments students are made incur additional expenses.

The charges for trips, copies, uniform, etc., are much higher than the actual cost. Each school is selling notebooks, uniforms, sweaters, and blazers.

The canteens inside schools are also run as a lucrative business.

Abida Nadeem

Lahore

(2)

WE all know how high are the fees charged by private schools. However, another issue which is irking parents is that the management of these private schools are denying concessions in fees through the kinship facility to the despair of parents who teach at these schools.

I was really privileged to get all my three children admitted to one of the top schools of Karachi with high hopes to get concession in fee on account of being a teacher at the school. But to my surprise, the private school administration bluntly denied the concession in fees on the pretext of issues related to Opex.

It is difficult for any individual working in the public/private sector to take care of all these school expenses under the current circumstances when inflation is high and the prices of daily items keep rising every now and then.

I urge the government to promulagte proper legislation in this matter and ensure proper compliance from the private-school sector.

Khurram Minhas

Lahore

Published in Dawn, October 10th , 2015

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