SHC bars combined collection of June, July school fees

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has barred private schools from collecting June and July tuition fees together and charging fees for books and uniforms collectively.

The court heard a petition challenging private schools' collection of June and July fees and the purchase arrangements for books and uniforms.

A government lawyer and a representative of the Directorate of Private Schools appeared before the court.

The petitioner's counsel argued that collecting tuition fees for summer vacations was unlawful. He said schools issued two fee vouchers at once to parents to collect fees for the vacation period.

The counsel further argued that schools conducted no academic activities during the summer holidays and, therefore, should not collect fees for that period. However, school administrations began issuing notices for summer vacation fee payments as early as April.

The court barred schools from collecting the fees together. It observed that notices for summer vacation fee payments should be issued in May.

The court directed that separate deadlines be given for the payment of June and July fees, allowing parents until June 30 to pay the June fee and until July 30 to pay the July fee.

Regarding books and uniforms, the court directed the Directorate of Private Schools and the other parties to resolve the matter through mutual consultation.

It ordered the parties to hold a meeting within the next two weeks to discuss the issue.

After issuing directions to the Directorate of Private Schools and other relevant parties, the court disposed of the petition.