KARACHI, Dec 8: The Sindh Assembly on Monday adopted three bills which included one that seeks amendment to the Sindh Private Educational Institutions (Regulation and Control) Ordinance 2001. The bill is aimed at regulating fee structure, salaries and allowances of teachers and other infrastructure facilities.

Education Minister Irfanullah Marwat, on Friday, had tabled the bill which seeks to rationalize operation of private educational institutions.

Following this amendment, the fee structure of an institution would be fixed with prior approval of the government; the institution would have to provide and maintain required infrastructure, including building, class rooms, laboratory, library, playground, canteen and safe-drinking water facilities; the pay scales, allowances, leaves and other benefits to be admissible to the teachers and other staff.

The bill envisages that the curriculum taught in an institution would, at least, be at par with the curriculum approved by the government for its schools and institutions; and the institution would ensure teaching of the Sindhi Language in accordance with the existing law and rules.

The bill also spells out criteria for the registration of an institution; infrastructure and safe-drinking water facilities; mode and procedure for monitoring and inspection of an institution.

But the treasury rejected an amendment proposed by leader of the opposition Nisar Khuhro who had sought to make it mandatory for private institutions to provide medical facilities. The treasury benches’ attitude prompted opposition to stage a walkout.

During the extended session, the assembly also adopted bills pertaining to the establishment of an Institute of Business and Technology and the Dadabhoy Institute of Higher Education.

The assembly also gave assent to the special committee’s report on curbing menace of extortion (Bhatta).