REF: PEIRA/Tuition Fees/High/19092017/V3.

1
Dated: 19th September 2017

Complaint Against High Monthly Fees Being Charged by Private Schools in Islamabad and Rawalpindi
Along with Other Undue Charges

Mr. Hasnat Qureshi

Chairman
Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PEIRA)
Islamabad

Respected Sir,
We are writing this letter to bring into your notice a pertinent and scorching issue relating to the
ludicrous conduct of private schools in Islamabad/Rawalpindi, who are charging exaggerated
fees which amount to nothing less than extortion. A few other grievances on which we would
like PEIRA to take notice are also detailed out in para # 4 to para # 6. These school systems are
acting like an Organized Mafia because of the absence of checks and balances on the quality of
education. Since part of PEIRAs mandate is provision of quality education to the residents of
Islamabad, this letter serves as cause for action.
1. The establishment of PEIRA is an extraordinary step towards regulating and monitoring
private schools and provides a healthy forum in taking up complaints from aggrieved
parents (consumers) against unethical practices of private schools. Because PEIRA has
1,069 registered private institutions in Islamabad Capital Territory, PEIRA has been
slow to achieve its objectives in regulating the fees structure of private educational
institutions (PEIs) due to a shortage of resources. The implementation of PEIRA
notifications go unnoticed because there are too many institutions for them to follow
up with this is adding to the miseries of parents. The private schools, which are regulated
by PEIRA, have all become sizeable commercial units whose primary focus is generating
profits with complete disregard for providing a well-rounded education.
2. PEIRA had given directives to PEIs under 2016 rules, whereby, they had put a ceiling on
the fees structure under which PEIs can only charge tuition fees up to PKR 8350 till FSc
and PKR 12,525 till A-Levels on monthly basis or the fees approved by competent
authority. Also as per 2016 rules, PEIs are supposed to submit the proposal to PEIRA for
fees increase and this proposal will be thoroughly evaluated by authority based on the
facilities being provided by schools along with the estimated expenditures. After
evaluation of fees proposal and based on merit, authority will notify the fees structure for
the respective PEI. However, the PEIs/ schools are clearly violating the 2016 rule, by
increasing their charges by 10% to 15% in academic year 2017. We feel that this action is
clearly against the PEIRA directives and is an unethical practice. This increase is not in
line with economics as the inflation rates claimed by Government of Pakistan (GoP) in
past four years has been approximately 5% to 6% on average. The GoP and PEIRA need
to act here to ensure implementation of regulated fees and ensure that increase in fees on
yearly basis is in line with the average inflation rate (last five years inflation can be used
to calculate average inflation). We request PEIRA enforcement division to take
 REF: PEIRA/Tuition Fees/High/19092017/V1.1
Dated: 19th September 2017

Complaint Against High Monthly Fees Being Charged by Private Schools in Islamabad and Rawalpindi
Along with Other Undue Charges

appropriate actions against PEIs who are non-complying with authorities directives laid
in 2016 rules.
3. Another notable thing is that these PEIs/schools are also charging full fees even during
the summer vacations when the schools are closed and are not providing any services in
return for the payment of fees being charged. The operational cost during the summers
breaks is minimum as no electricity, generators, ICT labs, security are being utilized
during summer vacations, however the policy of charging full fees (sometimes in the
form of pro-rated fees) is being followed by PEIs to line the pockets of the owners. We
recommend that PEIRA study the policy of Higher Education Commission (HEC) of
Pakistan, which is the regulator for higher education and does not allow the practice of
charging of fees for summer vacations in the institutes it regulates. PEIRA should follow
the precedent set by a sibling authority and discourage the charging of complete fees. As
a compromise, should direct PEIs to charge discounted fees bills (due to lower
operational cost) in summer vacations.
4. Sibling discounts are a common practice in government and armed forces operated
schools in Pakistan. The PEIs have altogether deserted the sibling discounts offer and
hence parents with more than one child in the same school remain at a loss. PEIRA
should consider this matter and ensure that siblings are offered discounts in accordance
with government policy.
5. In the past, PEIRA successfully implemented its directive on the abolishing of additional
security charges imposed by private schools in post December 16th, 2014 tragedy at APS
Peshawar, which was a laudable step and was praised by parents. We, the parents, once
again look towards PEIRA to take up the complaints from aggrieved parents and lodge a
formal investigation and inquiry into this matter.
6. The application containing the signs of aggrieved parents along with school details are
available in pages following this complaint.
We, parents, shall be more than happy to extend our cooperation as and when required.
Looking forward for much needed relief from the concerned authority.

Name CNIC Contact Number Signature

The signatories above are petitioning for items stated in REF: PEIRA/Tuition Fees/High/19092017/V3.1
Dated: 19th September 2017
 REF: PEIRA/Tuition Fees/High/19092017/V3.1
Dated: 19th September 2017

Complaint Against High Monthly Fees Being Charged by Private Schools in Islamabad and Rawalpindi
Along with Other Undue Charges

SIGNATURE SHEET
Name CNIC Contact Number Signature

The signatories above are petitioning for items stated in REF: PEIRA/Tuition Fees/High/19092017/V3.1
Dated: 19th September 2017