The PML-N-led coalition government at the Center now has 229 members in the NA. PHOTO: APPLICATION
ISLAMABAD:
The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Federal Education and Vocational Training on Tuesday criticized the Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PIERA) for what it called unjustified increases in tuition fees, raising serious concerns over flaws in the fee assessment mechanism linked to quality assessment.
The meeting, convened by Dr Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro, was held at the conference hall of the Federal Directorate of Education in Islamabad.
The committee highlighted that the quality assessment framework for private educational institutions is based on seven basic indicators, including teaching quality, classroom learning environment, infrastructure and facilities, transparency and public disclosure, administrative and operational capacity, cleanliness and discipline, and safety and security.
MEPs stressed that any increase in tuition fees must be directly linked to real improvements in these areas and should not impose an excessive financial burden on parents.
The panel highlighted the need for stricter review, greater transparency and effective oversight by PIERA to ensure that quality-based assessments are fair, credible and serve the interests of students and parents rather than allowing arbitrary fee increases.
The Committee was informed that the MoUs signed with NGOs have been reviewed by the Ministry of Law and Justice and include provisions relating to compliance with the notified minimum wage.
The Committee emphasized that all employees working in public schools funded or managed by NGOs must be paid salaries strictly in accordance with minimum wage laws, without any exceptions.
The committee recommended that all buildings currently under the administrative control of the Directorate General of Special Education (DGSE) be formally handed over to the DGSE to ensure their effective use exclusively for the education, rehabilitation and welfare of children with special needs.
