LAHORE: Parents Action Committee (PAC) and members of the civil society on Sunday protested against private schools over what they claimed was an undue increase in fee.

They demanded the government take action against private schools for raising fee by 20 to 30 per cent illegally.

PAC members, civil society activists, parents and students gathered at Liberty Roundabout and protested against private school administrations over the increase in fee. The protesters were carrying placards, banners and posters with slogans against private schools and vowed to continue the movement until they achieved their objective.

PAC President Muhammad Ayub claimed they were representing every Pakistani parent and under the Constitution, free quality education was a basic right of every child. He said parents were forced to send their children to expensive private schools due to poor quality of education at government institutions.

He demanded that the “illegal fee raise” by private schools be reverted immediately and as per government policy 10pc underprivileged children provided free education at private schools.

Ayub said private school managements should involve members of PAC while taking major decisions, including changing fee structure and extracurricular activities, adding that the government should also ensure definition and implementation of maximum fee capping per class.

Civil Society Network President Abdullah Malik said government regulatory authorities should take action and audit rules be applied to all private educational institutions. He said they should also provide 50pc discount to every sibling of a student and every legal order/policy of the government should also be applicable to private educational institutes.

PAC General Secretary Sajeel Usmani said the government should take appropriate measures to improve quality of education at government schools so that private schools could be considered a substitute by parents belonging to middle class.

He also demanded implementation of Lahore High Court orders over fee increase.

Published in Dawn, December 11th, 2017