Punjab finalises draft of regulatory body for pvt schools

The Punjab government today gave final touches to a draft of a regulatory authority for private unaided schools seeking to solve the problem of overcharging of fees and "exploitation" of parents and students.
Education Minister Daljit Singh Cheema said the draft policy was finalised in a marathon meeting held with senior officials of the Education Department.
The draft would be submitted before Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal for his approval, he said.
Cheema said the department was concerned about the reports of the "exploitation" of parents and students by some private unaided schools who were collecting heavy fees and also indulging in other "undesirable" activities like forcing parents to buy books and uniforms from specified shops.

He said such activities could not be allowed so the department had decided to establish an independent authority few months back to stop such "corrupt practices".
The process of consultation with the stakeholders was on for a long time and the department has formulated a comprehensive plan to check these malpractices after due diligence, he stated.
He said the draft prepared for the establishment of the Regulatory Authority will able to check all these unwanted activities in an effective manner.