Private schools across Punjab have raised tuition fees just ahead of the summer vacation, defying a court order that restricts such increases. The issue sparked debate in the Punjab Assembly, where lawmakers voiced serious concern over the schools’ blatant disregard for legal directives.

MPA Ahmad Rasheed Bhatti brought the matter to the assembly’s attention, revealing that several schools had increased fees by Rs. 7,000 to Rs. 8,000 per student—a surge of up to 26%—despite classes being suspended for three months during the summer break.

Bhatti reminded the House that the Lahore High Court had previously ruled schools could only charge half the regular monthly tuition fee during summer vacations. “This ruling is being openly ignored,” he emphasized during the session.

READ MORE:

Texas Moves Closer to Banning Social Media for Minors Under 18

Terming the fee hike “an act of cruelty,” Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan instructed the Education Minister to take prompt action against the offending schools. The Minister assured lawmakers that an immediate investigation would be launched.

Notably, the Directorate of Private Institutions had issued a notice last year warning schools against imposing any additional charges beyond admission and regular monthly fees. The directive also prohibited pressuring parents to buy branded school notebooks.

The issue has now been forwarded to the Standing Committee on Schools for detailed investigation and necessary action.