Daily Times

Misinterpreting the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s ruling of December 2018, the private schools are still charging higher fees by proving the essence of SC’s original orders in a treacherous way. They insist that a 20 per cent reduction in school fees is applicable on the tuition fees only, which is already below the threshold of Rs 5000 per month.

The number of private schools, as per All Pakistan Private Schools Federation records, has increased from 53,400 in 2010 to 197,112 in 2019. The quality of education is declining but the private school owners are making more money. According to the World Bank Research Digest, the growing participation of private schools in accelerating the wheel of Pakistan’s education sector has regretfully lacked behind in aligning its total impact with national education policy, its development and reforms.

Around 54 per cent of the country’s private schools is clustered in Lahore. Parents in Punjab are flinging more packets of money in the hands of these schools for getting their children educated, which could otherwise be done by spending less money on quality education through effective school education reforms.

Enrollment in private schools has considerably surged from 22 per cent in 2000 to 44 per cent in 2019. This has been a major cause of creating a sense of social inequality amongst the parents who cannot afford to send their children to private schools for heavy doses of money.

This indicates that government schools would be fully abandoned by the public in the coming years. In Pakistan’s urban areas, 61 per cent of children are enrolled in private schools and this number stands at 32 per cent in the rural areas. Steadfast revisions in functional structures of both government and private schools are extremely important.

From March 2020 onwards, Urdu would be the language of instruction, and English would be taught as a secondary language

Looking at the international horizon, civilised countries have developed controlled pools of government schools; ensuring nearly hundred per cent enrollment of children and delivery of learning-based education.

Sri Lanka, a small country, claims a 96 per cent literacy rate and the government schools are trending there. Similarly, Australia, the US and the European countries keep the delicate string of education in the hands of government and do not let private players enter the sector and capture a major market share. More than 70 per cent of the schools is run by the respective governments in these countries.

More than Rs 5 billion were disbursed among the country’s private school employees in the form of salaries and other emoluments during the last five years. Where does this money come from?

Some of the private schools charge Rs 5,000 to Rs 8,000 per month, whereas big school chains charge a monthly fee in the range of Rs 8,000 and Rs 20,000 per student. In a country with around $1,500 per capita income, it is parallel to purchasing the education, instead of acquiring the education.

The skyrocketing growth of the business of private schools has enabled them to plunge into new sectors, which include publishing, stationery, food and catering. The money thus earned from educating the children becomes an investment for other projects. The school owners could allocate a considerable portion of their income to elevate the standards of education and research.

What are the possible solutions to create an acceptable balance between private and government sector schools, with a special reference to quality education for affordable price?

Recently, Punjab Chief Minister has announced the government’s policy regarding the language of instruction in the government schools.

From March 2020 onwards, Urdu would be the language of instruction, and English would be taught as a secondary language. It seems impressive in bridging the learning gaps by enhancing students’ level of comprehension.

Firstly, the private schools could be passed through rigorous educational audits to unfold the truth concealed behind the scope, quality, delivery and price of education in the country. These audits could assist in setting goals and achieving policy results.

Secondly, the private schools could be put to financial audits and held responsible for charging unnecessarily higher fees during the last decade. Their tax records could be scrutinised. The private schools have a huge potential to pay fair taxes.

The private schools could make history by accommodating at least two deserving children per section per class and start compensating out of bunches of money made through unfair growth in fees.

Thirdly, private school owners have their federations and associations. To retaliate with the greater force, the parents in Pakistan could set up their specialized association to stimulate monopolistic decisions. The representatives of parents’ association could meet the management of the private schools and discuss their current performance and upcoming policies.

Pakistan’s private school sector has grown in number but has squeezed in its impact on society.

Such a system could increase the number of literate people, but not the number of researchers, scientists and leaders.

The writer is a researcher and journalist