KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Monday sought replies from the private schools regarding implementation of its previous order that restrained them from increasing the tuition fee by more than five per cent.

A three-member bench of the SHC, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, was hearing contempt of court applications moved by parents of students over alleged non-implementation of its order regarding enhancement in annual tuition fees. The bench fixed the matter for Dec 20.

At the outset, the counsel representing the parents of students submitted that the court in its order passed on Dec 13 had restrained the private schools from charging fees beyond five per cent fixed in the fee structure by the provincial education department.

On the other hand, the counsel representing the private school managements submitted that their clients had approached the Supreme Court, which had nullified 20pc hike in the fees. But it was not clear whether the apex court’s order was applicable with immediate effect, the counsel added.

The parents’ counsel stated that the apex court had passed an interim order in the matter and a final order had not been passed yet.

The bench asked the counsel for the private schools and parents to submit their written replies explaining implementation of the court’s previous order by the schools and its violation as alleged by the parents.

Published in Dawn, December 18th, 2018