QUETTA: The Child Rights Movement Balochistan has urged the government to provide relief to parents by waiving or reducing fees at private educational institutions, while praising the federal government’s austerity policy as a positive step towards curbing unnecessary expenditures.

The movement pointed out that although schools have been closed under the policy, no relief has yet been extended to parents. Private schools and transport operators continue to charge full monthly tuition and transportation fees, placing an undue financial burden on families.

In a statement, the Child Rights Movement recalled that a similar situation arose during the Covid-19 lockdowns, when some private schools fully waived fees while others offered discounts of up to 25 per cent.

The statement also criticised private schools for imposing additional financial strain on parents through costly new textbooks, workbooks, and other school-branded materials, along with arbitrary annual fee increases.

The Child Rights Movement appealed to Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti and the provincial education minister to announce an immediate relief package for parents, ensuring that private schools reduce fees appropriately so families can manage the financial burden and children can continue their education without disruption.

Published in Dawn, March 26th, 2026