Law To Regulate Private Schools On The Cards.

LAHORE -- A law to regulate the affairs of private schools is on the cards as the school education department has sent a summary to Punjab chief minister for his signatures following approval of the provincial cabinet, it has been learnt.

Sources in the education department said that after approval of the chief minister, the draft law will be tabled in the Punjab Assembly in the form of a bill to establish 'Punjab Private Educational Institutions Authority' that will regulate the functioning of private schools including fees and other matters. Speaking to The Nation, Provincial Education Minister Murad Raas said that private schools had become a mafia over the years. He said that regulating these privately-owned educational institutions was inevitable at this point of time otherwise they will get out of hand. 'The Punjab government is going to legislate on a very important matter which is linked to the future of next generations,' he maintained.

The minister confirmed that a summary to set up a regulatory authority to regulate matters related to private education has been approved by the provincial cabinet and has been sent to Punjab CM Parvez Elahi for signatures. He said the draft law will be tabled in the Punjab Assembly for legislation soon. 'Unfortunately, since 1984, the Private School Act had neither been revised and updated by the previous governments nor any legislation regarding the matter was made in public interest,' he added.

'I have been offered a huge chunk in bribe to withdraw myself from the idea of regulatory authority but I proceeded with the idea to facilitate the common people. I made a firm decision to stick to this move despite the immense pressure from different powerful circles,' he added.

Illustrating the powers and responsibilities of the regulatory authority, Murad said that this authority will address all the issues relating to private schools including fees. 'Each and every...