Delegation Expresses Serious Concerns Over Multiple-Fold Increase in Affiliation, Inspection and Other Fees
ISLAMABAD (News Reporter): A delegation of the All Private Schools Associations Joint Action Committee met Federal Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui at his office and expressed serious concerns over the extraordinary increase in fees charged by the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE).
The delegation comprised former Board of Governors member Nasir Mahmood, Board of Governors member Hafiz Muhammad Basharat, President APSMA Northern Punjab Abrar Ahmed Khan, President NAPS Chaudhry Muhammad Obaidullah, President Private Schools Network Maqbool Hussain Dar, President PSCMA Malik Naseem Ahmed, former Board of Governors member and President APSMA Women Wing Rawalpindi Division Mrs. Sakina Taj, and Educational Society leader Raja Khalid Mahmood.
The delegation apprised the federal minister of its strong reservations over the multiple-fold increase in affiliation, inspection, renewal, security, and other related fees by the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education.
The representatives said the decision would place severe financial pressure on private educational institutions, particularly schools charging low and moderate tuition fees.
They maintained that private educational institutions are government partners in providing education to millions of children and play a key role in fulfilling the constitutional right to education under Article 25-A of the Constitution of Pakistan.
The delegation pointed out that the majority of private schools operate on relatively low fees, with a significant portion of their income being spent on teachers’ salaries, building rents, utility bills, educational resources, and other operational expenses.
They said schools were already facing serious financial difficulties due to inflation, rising operational costs, social security contributions, Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) obligations, taxes, and other statutory requirements.
In these circumstances, they said, the extraordinary increase in FBISE fees had become unaffordable for many private educational institutions.
The delegation demanded an immediate review of the increased FBISE fees and called for disproportionate increases to be withdrawn or significantly reduced.
They further proposed that if a fee increase was unavoidable, it should be implemented gradually and after meaningful consultation with private educational institutions.
The delegation also called for a special concessional fee structure for low-fee schools.
In addition, the representatives requested that private educational institutions be allowed a reasonable annual fee adjustment of at least 10 percent in view of rising inflation and operational costs, enabling them to maintain educational standards and financial stability.
Federal Education Minister Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui listened to the delegation’s concerns and assured the representatives that the legitimate concerns and recommendations of private educational institutions would be seriously reviewed.
He said efforts would be made to develop a balanced and fair solution that serves the best interests of students, parents, private educational institutions, and the national education system.
The All Private Schools Associations Joint Action Committee expressed hope that the Ministry of Education would recognize private educational institutions as genuine partners in national educational development and take practical measures to resolve their issues.