Private school in Karachi ordered to withdraw 'illegal' fee hike

The Sindh government has directed a private school in Karachi to withdraw an increase in tuition fees introduced during the summer holidays and refund any excess amount collected from students.

According to an official letter issued on Friday by the Directorate of Inspection and Registration of Private Institutions, which functions under the School Education and Literacy Department, the order was issued after a hearing held a day earlier over complaints against the private school.

The letter said the school had increased tuition fees at all of its campuses without obtaining approval from the registration authority, in violation of Rule 7(6) of the Sindh Private Educational Institutions (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2005.

Under the rules, institutions can face action for charging tuition fees in violation of the prescribed regulations or collecting unauthorised fees.

The directorate instructed the school to immediately stop charging any unapproved or excess fees from students.

It also ordered the institution to refund all amounts collected through the unauthorised fee increase and submit a compliance report to the directorate within 15 days, along with documentary proof of the refunds.

The school was further directed to charge only those tuition fees that have been approved by the registration authority.

The letter warned that legal action would be initiated under the relevant laws and rules if the institution failed to comply with the directives.