ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday turned down a plea of private schools against the directive of Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (Peira) and Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) to slash by 20pc the monthly fee of students amidst the coronavirus lockdown.

Peira last week had issued the directive to private schools and colleges to collect 20pc less fees on a monthly basis, warning against the collection of advance fees.

The authority also advised private educational institutions to ensure the compliance of the standard of procedures (SOPs).

Peira had also directed private educational institutions to allow only three to four staff members to attend institutions on account of administrative duties, including payment of salaries to staff and utility bills.

IHC advises owners to seek relief from Peira

Private Schools Association (PSA) challenged the direction of the government to offer a 20pc concession in the tuition fees before the IHC. It cited Peira and the FDE as respondents.

The petition stated that Peira had issued a circular on April 8 in which it directed private educational institutions to grant 20pc concession in tuition fees for April and May amidst the lockdown.

It said the authority had instructed private schools to charge fees every month rather than in advance for two months.

PSA’s counsel requested the court to set aside the Peira notification saying the decision was taken without consulting the stakeholders.

During the course of hearing, IHC Justice Aamer Farooq remarked that private schools should on their own take a decision to cut the fees since due to the coronavirus pandemic it was difficult for parents to make ends meet.

“You earn profit for years and it is not a big deal if the schools would give a nominal concession in form of slashing the tuition fee,” he remarked.

When PSA’s counsel argued that the schools would suffer irreparable loss, Justice Farooq offered that then the court may order for an audit of private schools. The forensic audit may determine whether the concession would be 15pc or 50pc.

He asked the counsel weather PSA had taken up the matter with the government before invoking the extraordinary jurisdiction vested with the court under Article 199 of the Constitution.

The counsel replied in the negative.

Subsequently, Justice Farooq directed PSA to file a representation before Peira and advised the private educational institutions to seek any relief from the authority. The petition was then disposed of.Schools across the country have been closed until May 31 as a part of precautionary measures against Covid-19. This period will be treated as summer vacations.

The Peira notification read that concession must be granted “as a financial relief to parents or guardians due to the suspension of business and related activities as a result of the nationwide lockdown.”

IHC’s contribution to PM’s fund

IHC Registrar Sajid Baloch on Monday issued a notification about the contribution of IHC judges and staff in the Prime Minister’s Covid-19 Relief Fund.

According to the notification, the chief justice and judges of the IHC will donate Rs100,000 each while officers as well as judicial officers of the subordinate judiciary will contribute two days’ salary in the fund “to have solidarity with the poor and marginalised people affected by the deadly pandemic.”

Published in Dawn, April 14th, 2020