The Punjab Governor has approved an ordinance that caps annual fee increases at private unaided schools at 5%. The new rule, effective immediately, aims to control unchecked tuition hikes and provide financial relief to parents.
New Fee Regulation Ordinance
Under the ordinance, private schools can only raise their annual fees by a maximum of 5%. Any school seeking to increase fees beyond this limit must obtain specific approval from the state government.
A high-powered committee will review these requests. The committee will examine the school's financial records. It will also conduct an audit to determine if a higher fee increase is justifiable.
The Punjab government plans to release detailed operational guidelines. These guidelines will outline the implementation process for the ordinance.
Reason for the Ordinance
The ordinance addresses ongoing concerns from parents. Parents have reported frequent and substantial fee increases by private schools.
The government enacted the ordinance while the Punjab Legislative Assembly was not in session. This decision ensures the prompt execution of the new fee regulation framework.
The legislation is expected to ease financial burdens on thousands of families. It prohibits unjustified increases in tuition and other mandatory school charges.
Schools must now provide a valid justification for any proposed fee increase exceeding the 5% annual cap.
What Happens Next
The ordinance is now law following the Governor's assent.
The Punjab government is expected to announce full implementation details soon. This includes the operational procedures for the committee that will review fee increase proposals and oversee school compliance.
