'Private school mafia' has ruined govt schools: CJP

LAHORE: Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar remarked on Thursday that imparting education is not a business, but fundamental right and that “private school mafia” has ruined government schools in cahoots with each other. 

He made these remarks while hearing a case pertaining to exorbitant school fees at the apex court’s Lahore registry.

Counsels for private schools requested the court to issue a stay order against the verdicts of different high courts that restrained them from increasing tuition fees.

Turning down the request, the top judge said this is a serious issue and he is considering a sou motu notice in this regard.

He said a large number of people have opened private schools, exploiting parents. Parents are made to pay inflated fees, which are even higher than the amount they earn, he added.

The top adjudicator said the court is well aware of how school franchises have been created and directed the authorities to inform as to under what law children are being charged withholding tax.

This all is being done to serve the interests of private schools, he said

The apex court issued notices to respondent authorities to submit comments on appeals of private schools through which they challenged the verdict of different high courts that restrained them from increasing tuition fee by more than five per cent.