In a time when inflation has reached unprecedented levels and the average citizen struggles to make ends meet, private educational institutions have added to the burden of parents by unjustly demanding exorbitant fees under various pretexts. It seems that the authorities responsible for overseeing these institutions have conveniently turned a blind eye, most likely influenced by alleged bribes from school owners. Meanwhile, the government continues to seek international aid for education, particularly for the promotion of girls’ education, but questions regarding where this aid is truly directed or whose pockets it ends up in remain largely unanswered. The plight of the common man, especially regarding the financial challenges of managing both household and children’s education expenses, seems to be of little concern to those in power. The indifference shown by the Sindh government towards education is similar to the discriminatory practices it employs against non-Sindhis in other governmental departments.
However, in a rare display of responsibility, government officials in Karachi, the provincial capital, have taken a step to curb the illegal fees being charged by private schools. The concerned authorities have issued orders to refund the excess amounts collected from parents. The practice of imposing additional charges on parents, beyond the already high tuition fees, is widespread across the country. A recent media report revealed that the Additional Registrar of Sindh’s Education Department, during a visit to a private school, discovered the imposition of annual charges, lab fees, and sports fees, all of which far exceeded the tuition fees. Despite the establishment of dedicated directorates by provincial education ministries to monitor and prevent such exploitative practices, parents continue to be burdened with additional costs. This blatant exploitation in the name of education not only questions the competence of the officials sitting in their offices but also underscores the larger issue of corruption within the system.
Many private schools have introduced a practice where they themselves supply uniforms, books, and stationery to students, often at prices far higher than those available in the open market. In addition, transport providers, who ferry students to and from schools, continue to charge fees even during summer and winter vacations. To meet these mounting expenses, the lower and middle classes are forced to engage in extra labor from dawn till dusk. The endless cycle of corruption, exacerbated by these financial strains, contributes to the rising tide of social ills.
It is imperative that the relevant authorities take immediate and effective action to rectify these issues. Private educational institutions, including the aforementioned schools, must be brought under strict regulatory frameworks. The government has a responsibility to ensure that these institutions operate within the bounds of the law and adhere to principles of fairness and transparency. Without such measures, the education system will remain an unchecked industry where profit, rather than learning, is the priority.
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