Key Takeaways
- Sindh government orders Veritas Learning Circle (Primary) in Karachi to refund illegal fees.
- School was found to have increased tuition without approval, violating Sindh rules.
- Action against non-compliance will be initiated under relevant laws.
The Sindh government has ordered a private school in Karachi, Veritas Learning Circle (Primary), to reverse fee hikes imposed during the summer holidays. In a letter dated July 10, the Directorate of Inspection and Registration of Private Institutions directed the institution to immediately stop collecting any excess or unapproved fees from students.
During a hearing held on July 9, it was determined that Veritas had increased its tuition fees without the approval of the registration authority, in violation of Rule 7(6) of the Sindh Private Educational Institutions (Regulation and Control) Rules 2005. The rule states that any complaint regarding the tuition fees in violation of the rules or charging of any fee other than tuition fees shall be liable to punishment.
The letter directed the school to immediately refund the amounts unlawfully collected as tuition fees from all students, with a compliance report and documentary evidence of the refunds to be submitted within 15 days. It further instructed the institution to only collect fees that had been duly approved by the registration authority.
Rafia Mallah, additional director of registration at the Directorate of Private Schools, stated that schools typically apply for a five per cent increase in fees when renewing their registration. In this case, Veritas had not applied for such an increment and was not scheduled to renew its registration this year. She added that a committee was constituted after complaints were received about the fee hike.
Following the hearing, a letter was issued directing the school not to raise its fees by a single rupee above the amount previously approved by the directorate. A circular was also issued to all schools and a press release made public, warning that if any school increases its fees, action will be taken against it, and parents will be given a copy of the form stating they do not have to pay any fees above those approved.
The Sindh government is taking this matter seriously. According to Mallah, complaints had been received regarding excess tuition fees charged by schools as well as 'additional hidden charges' being collected from parents. The circular noted that these actions are part of the government's efforts to ensure transparency and fairness in school fee structures.
