LAHORE: The provincial government has amended the Punjab Private Educational Institutions (Promotion and Regulation) Ordinance 1984 and now the government can impose fine up to Rs4 million on a private school for violating the law.
As per the amended law, the private schools cannot increase fee in future without the consultation with the government. Moreover, the private schools cannot ask the parents to purchase textbooks, uniforms or other material from a particular shop or provider.
In case, there is a reasonable justification for appropriate increase in the fee for the purpose of the next academic year, the charge may apply to the registration authority at least three months before the start of next academic year proposing reasonable increase of the fee.
The registration authority after providing reasonable opportunity of defence can impose administrative penalty up to Rs 20,000 per day from the date of notice is served on the institution. If the contravention continues for more than 30 days, the registering authority, in addition to any other action or penalty under the Ordinance, will file a complaint against the In-charge in the court of First Class Magistrate and the court can punish the In-charge with a fine up to Rs2 million, but will not be less than Rs200,000. If an In-charge runs the institution without registration under the Ordinance, he will be liable to punishment of fine up to Rs4 million, but not less than Rs300,000.
