Panjgur Private Schools Association Calls Holiday Fee Ban Unconstitutional
Quetta (Syed Sardar Mohammad Khondai) — The All Balochistan Progressive Private Schools Association (Registered), District Panjgur, has expressed serious concern over the decision of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) West Quetta to prohibit private educational institutions from collecting fees during school vacations, describing the move as illegal and unconstitutional.
An emergency meeting of the association was held under the chairmanship of District President Abdul Quddus Kashani Baloch on the special directives of Provincial President Muhammad Nawaz Pandrani. Participants reviewed the recent decision by DC West Quetta in detail.
Addressing the meeting, District President Abdul Quddus Kashani Baloch, Press Secretary Syed Ehtisham-ul-Haq and other representatives argued that no Supreme Court of Pakistan ruling prohibits low-fee private schools from collecting fees during winter or summer vacations. They also maintained that the Balochistan Private Schools Regulatory and Promotion Act 2022 does not prohibit or restrict fee collection during school holidays.
The association representatives said that decisions they consider contrary to the law and Constitution could seriously undermine the financial stability of private educational institutions and threaten teachers’ livelihoods.
Association Announces Support for Legal Action
The meeting unanimously adopted several decisions:
- Confidence in leadership: The District Panjgur cabinet expressed full solidarity with the decisions and strategies of Provincial President Muhammad Nawaz Pandrani and the association’s central leadership, reaffirming its confidence in them.
- Support for a constitutional petition: The district organisation pledged to support the provincial cabinet in filing a constitutional petition before the Balochistan High Court against the decision. It also promised all possible legal, moral and practical cooperation.
- Protection of private educational institutions: Participants emphasised that private schools play a fundamental role in addressing educational gaps across the province and said their rights and legal protections should be safeguarded at every level.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the association appealed to private school owners and administrators to remain united during what it described as a critical situation. It said collective efforts were necessary to protect the stability of private educational institutions and the province’s education system.
