PTI MNA seeks 50pc reduction in private school fees during pandemic.

ISLAMABAD -- PTI MNA from Islamabad Ali Nawaz Awan on Tuesday took up the matter of private school fees on the floor of the National Assembly and sought a chair's ruling for 50pc fee reduction during the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking on a point of order, he said that the middle and lower classes have been hit badly by the lockdown imposed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and, amid this difficult financial situation, private schools are still charging high fees for online classes.

He said that online classes have reduced the expenditure of schools, and fees should therefore be halved. Private schools have also laid off many teachers and their infrastructure is not being used either, he added.

Mr Awan said that the Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (Peira), which is supposed to regulate Islamabad-based private schools, has already directed for a 20pc reduction in fees, but this is not enough.

Wants matter referred to standing committee with feedback sought in 15 days

The MNA sought a chair's ruling in this regard and said the matter should be referred to a special committee.

MNA Amjid Ali Khan, who was chairing the session in the absence of the speaker and deputy speaker, referred the matter to the National Assembly Standing Committee on Education, with a direction to submit a report and feedback in 15 days.

Earlier, Mr Awan also said that 250,000 students are enrolled in public schools while 300,000 are enrolled in private schools.

He said that a Supreme Court judgement from '2018' - the judgement was actually issued in 2019 - that had frozen private school...