Punjab Govt to Regulate Affairs of Private Schools With New Law

The Government of Punjab is working on a new law that will regulate the functioning of private schools in the province. According to the details, the School Education Department of Punjab has already sent a summary to the Chief Minister, Pervez Elahi, for his signatures following the approval of the provincial cabinet.

The draft law, after being approved by the Chief Minister, will be tabled in the Punjab Assembly in the form of a bill to establish “Punjab Private Education Institutions Authority” that will help regulate the functioning of private schools, including their fees and other matters.

The Punjab Education Minister, Dr Murad Raas, told The Nation that private schools had become a mafia over the years and regulating them had become a necessity at this time, otherwise they will get out of control. “The Punjab government is going to legislate on a very important matter which is linked to the future of next generations,” he added.

Furthermore, the Education Minister confirmed that a summary to set up a regulatory authority that will regulate functioning of private schools was already approved by the provincial cabinet and sent to the Chief Minister for his signatures and approval.

He added that the draft law will be tabled in the Punjab Assembly for legislation soon. “Unfortunately, since 1984, the Private School Act had neither been revised and updated by the previous governments nor any legislation regarding the matter was made in public interest,” he said.

The Education Minister said that he has been offered huge chunk as bribe to withdraw from the idea of a regulatory authority, however, he has stuck to his decision for the benefit of the common man. He added that once the law is passed, the regulatory authority will address all matters of private schools, including fees.

Moreover, the regulatory will listen to the parents and work to solve their problems. Dr Murad Raas added that if the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Government had not been removed, the regulatory authority would already be functional by now.

Read more: Govt Announces Free Education for University Students in Flood Hit Areas.

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