THE verdict barring private schools from raising fees by more than five per cent annually has measured all private schools by the same yardstick.

More than 95 per cent private schools cater to the mid-cum-low income groups charging fees ranging between Rs1,500 and Rs5,000 per month. Many of them compare to the best institutions and do not compromise on the standard and quality of education.

It is these institutions that are educating the masses. Therefore, tuition fees should be capped correspondingly. These schools offer middle class and low-income families an alternative to the increasingly decrepit government school system. Considering only the parents’ clamour against rising tuition fees and ignoring the reasons behind those raises is unfair.

Most such schools are housed in rented premises. Rents increase by 10-12pc each year. School managements offer teaching staff lucrative compensation packages with an annual increment of around 15pc. They also provide free or substantially reduced tuition fees for employees’ wards.

Utility bills are charged commercially and private schools are considered commercial entities for taxation purposes. In addition they also pay EOBI, social security tax for employees, school registration fee, school registration renewal fee and a multitude of other taxes.

Providing security is the state’s primary responsibility. Unfortunately, this is also being borne by private schools. The government has directed schools to employ security guards at the gates and install CCTVs and barbed wire. And last, a considerable sum is spent on facilities like, generator, library, laboratory, etc. Intensive loadshedding has made it compulsory for almost all private schools — of repute — to have generators.

Private schools have limited resources and a fee hike restriction would be a serious threat to their survival. A 5pc fee raise would generate around Rs75 to Rs250 per student. This trivial amount is insufficient to meet the increasing operational costs in high inflation.

The capping of low-income private school fees will cause a decline in the quality of education.

Yasmin Qazi

Karachi

Published in Dawn, October 15th, 2018