|
Beaconhouse School System students made to pay for their security too
LAHORE, Oct 30: The management of an elite school chain has started receiving
special funds in addition to tuition fees from students for their security after
a deteriorating law and order situation in the country.
The move has,
however, shocked some parents who say security arrangements should be made by
the school management from its own recourses, as it is already charging a hefty
amount as tuition fees.
The management of Beaconhouse School System (BSS)
has started receiving Rs 80 from every student under the head of 'other
charges'. A parent, wishing not to be named, said he was upset to see the column
in his child's fees challan form. On inquiry, he was told the funds collected
under the head would be spent for making security arrangements for
students.
"The school is already charging a hefty amount as tuition fees
and under the circumstances, it is strange the parents are being overburdened
for security purposes," he observed. He said the move had, in fact, exposed the
inability of the Punjab government to regulate the affairs of private schools,
especially their fees structure. "It is up to them (private schools) how much
they charge as there is no government mechanism to check their affairs. The
school is providing quality education but the move will upset the parents," he
added.
Another parent said, "Under the circumstances, the school
management may also ask for funds for fumigation after a growing threat of a
dengue outbreak. "Eighty rupees are not a problem but collecting the meagre
amount from thousands of students will make a big difference for the school
management," he observed.
A source in the Education Department told The
News that most posh institutions were being run by political and influential
families, including some federal ministers, and how could the government evolve
a mechanism for regulating the affairs of private schools, especially the fees
structure. "There are also other issues, like the registration of private
schools," he said, adding the students of private schools were also compelled to
buy books and uniforms from certain stores.
He said the department had
proposed legislation for private educational institutions a couple of years ago,
however, no progress could be made. When contacted, Special Secretary Schools
Capt (retd) Zahid Saeed admitted the Education Department had no control over
fees determination and other financial matters of private schools. "We cannot
interfere in their fees structure," he added.
However, he said the
department had suggested legislation for the fees structure of private schools
to the Punjab Assembly Special Committee. Beaconhouse School System Chief
Executive Officer Kasim Kasuri said it was unfortunate the security situation
was not good in the country and students were being charged so that foolproof
security could be provided to them on the campus. He said only Rs 40 monthly
were being collected from every student. "The challan form is for two months,
therefore, Rs 80 are being charged," he elaborated.
He said they were
planning to replace ordinary security guards with armed security besides
installing CCTVs at more than 120 campuses. "The actual cost of security
arrangements was more than double the charges being received from students. The
actual cost was almost Rs 120 and we'll stop receiving the amount once the
project is complete," he added. "Fumigation is also being conducted in many
branches from our own funds," he concluded. The News
Your Comments
"i also read in beaconhouse school system ."
Name: hadi
Email: hadiriaiaz@rocketmail.com
City, Country: gujranwala, Pakistan
"please open the school"
Name: ammad
Email: ammadsohail@hotmail.com
City, Country: Rawalpindi. Pakistan
|
