The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday dismissed a petition filed against the government’s directive asking schools to offer a 20 percent concession in school fees for the months of April and May. Justice Amir Farooq heard the petition filed by a private school, and directed it to approach the Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PEIRA) against the decision. The court said concerns of the private schools must be heard pertaining to the 20 percent concession, before any decision is made. The court had previously also dismissed a petition filed by the Private Schools Association regarding the matter. Earlier this month, private schools in the federal capital were directed to offer a concession of at least 20 percent in their monthly tuition fee for April and May Moreover, schools were strictly directed to only collect the fees monthly and not charge advance fees for the two months together. A notification to this effect was issued by PEIRA listing new standard operating procedures (SOPs) for private educational institutions (PEIs) – up to higher secondary or equivalent level – during this period and directing them to ensure the implementation of the new directions.