Fees reduction: Private schools are now disturbing students, SC told

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar on Thursday said that a case be filed against private school owners refusing to cut down monthly fees after court orders, ARY News reported.

Hearing the case at the apex court, the CJP remarked that private schools had now started protest after the court ordered cut in fee ‘increased manifold’ by the schools.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan had on Dec 13 ordered private schools to cut their fees by 20 percent and return the 50 percent of the amount  they receive during the summer vacations. Lawyers for the private schools, deputy auditor general and Federal Broad of Revenue (FBR) chairman had appeared before the bench.

‘We have an idea that the private schools are now reacting to the apex court decision,” he added.

President Supreme Court Bar, Amanullah, who was present in the court, said the schools had now started disturbing students.

In his statement, secretary law informed the court that apart from 22 schools, all others had refused to cut down fee. He said the order was imposed on schools receiving more than Rs 5,000 fee.

The counsel of a private school said all institutions were implementing the court orders. ‘Our director has also arrived to the court today.’

“Why your owner didn’t make it to the court,” the CJP asked.

He said when owners appear before the court, the situation gets settled. “We summoned the owners of sugar mills and the issue was resolved subsequently.”

He said the court would further explain in its order that the fee directives were issued to schools seeking more than Rs 5,000 as monthly fee.