Senate Orders Private Schools to Cut Unjustified Fees

The Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education has directed private schools in Islamabad to roll back unjustified fee hikes, citing violations of official regulations that protect parents from excessive financial strain.

During Monday’s meeting chaired by Senator Bushra Anjum Butt, the committee expressed concern over “uncontrolled fee hikes” by several elite schools that reportedly raised tuition by up to 12 percent well beyond the 5 to 8 percent annual cap set by the Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PEIRA).

Senator Bushra Butt ordered all schools charging Rs50,000 or more in monthly fees to immediately revise their challans in line with PEIRA’s 2021 notification. The committee also demanded updated lists of schools that had breached the approved limits.

PEIRA representatives reaffirmed that private schools cannot compel parents to buy books or uniforms from designated vendors. The Senate panel urged strict enforcement against institutions violating the fee determination policy to ensure fairness and regulatory compliance in the education sector.

“Parents must not be overburdened by arbitrary school fee hikes. Regulations exist to ensure transparency and accountability,” said Senator Bushra Butt.