LAHORE: The Punjab government on Tuesday directed the private school chain owners to ensure compliance with court orders on transport matters.

A meeting of private school owners was held under the chairmanship of Secretary Education Khalid Nazir Wattoo, in which the provision of bus facilities by educational institutions was discussed according to the order of the Lahore High Court.

During the meeting, some concerns were expressed by the school owners, to which the education secretary responded that the department is bound by the high court’s orders and will take any necessary steps to fulfill these orders.

The secretary emphasised that private schools must ensure the provision of bus facilities to students under all circumstances, and there will be no compromise on the fitness of the buses.

He also mentioned that measures are necessary in light of the high court’s orders to control smog. Providing better educational facilities and transport at the institutional level is the responsibility of educational institutions.

Mr Wattoo said the department of education’s work on providing transport facilities in all public schools is almost complete, and electric buses will be introduced in public schools.

He instructed private school owners to follow the court orders without fail, and he warned that the department will not tolerate any negligence in this regard.

The Lahore High Court on Monday gave one-month time to all schools for fresh registration in compliance with the policy of bus facility for students whereas the Punjab government asked all private school chains to purchase buses within 30 days.

Hearing multiple public interest petitions on environmental issues, Justice Shahid Karim directed the school education secretary to suspend the registration of any school that fails to comply with the school bus policy.

Secretary Khalid Nazir presented a report on proposed rules for private schools, stating that the government has implemented a policy requiring schools to have buses for registration.

Published in Dawn, January 1st, 2025