A school's gesture.

Byline: Syed Badshah - Buner, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

PRIVATE schools play a vital role in education in Pakistani society, and it is unfortunate that the state has no policy for these institutions. One area where this drawback is felt acutely is a uniform 'poor quota' system to help students of humble means.

In Buner district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, there are hundreds of private schools functioning which charge students high fees but only a few of them are willing to provide subsidised or free education to poor deserving students.

However, not all school managements behave in the same manner. I happen to know a...