In the light of the Supreme Court’s (SC) order, Provincial Minister for Education Murad Raas on Friday directed all private schools across Punjab to return extra fees to parents until December 31. The minister asserted that SC’s order of cutting down fees of all private schools by 20 percent will be implemented in letter and spirit. He further warned all schools of Punjab that in case of noncompliance, actions would be taken against them. All Pakistan Private Schools’ Association has also accepted the SC verdict in a case pertaining to exorbitant fees being charged by private schools. All Pakistan Private Schools’ Association Chairman Kashif Mirza in his statement expressed his resolve to implement SC’s verdict in its true spirit and appealed the apex court to also look into the problems being faced by the owners of the private schools across the country. The top court has ordered a 20 percent decrease in fees charged by upscale private schools and dictated all those schools who have received the winter vacations’ fees from students, to return 50 percent to parents or adjust the amount in the fees of upcoming months. “The order will be applicable to private schools across the country whose fees are in excess of Rs 5,000,” reads the verdict of the apex court. On the other hand, the president of parents association had welcomed the order of the apex court regarding reduction in fees, and hoped the SC’s verdict will be helpful in releasing problems being faced by the parents. Schools Education Minister Murad Raas said that more than Rs 5,000 monthly fee from students will be reimbursed to the parents. He said that draft of proposed regularity authority to deal with matters pertaining to private schools is under consideration in law department and will presented in the next session of Punjab assembly for approval. Similarly, registration of those private schools will be suspended which will be found giving salary to their teachers less than the minimum wages. Murad Raas said that 50 percent of the fee of summer vacations will be adjusted in next fee plan of the private schools. He said that parents of the students that are enrolled in private schools should contact 03367251214 if their additional dues are not returned back by respective schools to them. The provincial minister directed the private schools to ensure implementation of decision regarding decrease in fee maximum by December 31, 2018 otherwise legal action will be initiated against them. Later, Raas inaugurated a newly constructed mosque at Punjab Curriculum & Textbook Board (PCTB) and commended the efforts of PCTB managing director and congratulated the employees. Talking to media, he reiterated that government run schools will be made better than private schools and added that comprehensive reforms agenda is underway to improve the schooling infrastructure in the province. Published in Daily Times, December 15th 2018.