Verbal Warning to Seal Schools Over Collection of Three Months’ Fees Is Illegal; DC Quetta West Should Clarify or We Will File a Contempt of Court Petition: Private Schools Alliance
Quetta (Daily Qudrat Quetta) — President of the Balochistan Private Schools Associations Alliance Malik Rashid Kakar, General Secretary Muhammad Nawaz Pindrani, and spokesman Haji Saleem Nasser have said that the Deputy Commissioner Quetta West should immediately clarify the judicial decision regarding private schools collecting three months’ fees; otherwise, the Balochistan Private Schools Associations Alliance will be compelled to file a contempt of court petition. During Corona in Balochistan, 475 private schools were closed, and private educational institutions also bore the burden of thousands of children. There are 3 million out-of-school children in the province, and private institutions are playing their full role in bringing them into schools. The government should stop the practice of harassing private schools instead of providing them facilities.
This was stated by them while addressing a press conference at the Quetta Press Club on Monday along with Vice Chairman Hafiz Nematullah Khan Kakar, Education Secretary Liaquat Ali Hazara, Finance Secretary Jameel Ahmed Mashwani, Haji Azmatullah Khan Kakar, Qari Ziaur Rahman Kakar, and other private school owners and teachers.
They said that our objective is not confrontation with any government officer or government institution, but to protect the legitimate rights of private educational institutions, clarify administrative powers, restore trust between parents and school administration, and demand a clear and fair policy for the promotion of quality education in Balochistan. We believe that education is a shared national responsibility, and every decision related to this sector should be made keeping in view the law, transparency, mutual consultation, and the best interests of students.
They said that the Deputy Commissioner Quetta West, during an open court (khuli kachehri) held in Kuchlak, verbally stated that no private school would collect three months’ fees, and if any school collected such fees, its registration would be canceled and the school sealed. If this statement was made as such, we consider it a very serious administrative warning for private educational institutions, the legal justification and scope of which must be clarified.
They said that a statement of this nature risks creating unnecessary misunderstandings, mistrust, and conflicts between parents and school administration. In any legal matter, such a strict warning without a clear written policy, relevant rules, and clarification of the competent authority can affect the educational environment.
They said that we want to ask: what is the legal basis for this announcement regarding three months’ fees? Does it apply to all private educational institutions? Is there any written policy or formal notification from the Education Department in this regard? And under what legal conditions can the power to cancel registration or seal a school be exercised? We clarify that we are not defending any legal violation; however, action against any institution should be taken in accordance with the law, competent authority, and prescribed procedure.
They said that the Deputy Commissioner West should clarify the legal justification, and relevant authorities should provide clear guidance to end the tension created between parents and school administration.
They said that in a written communication issued on October 9, 2026, from the office of the Deputy Commissioner Quetta West, reference has been made to a decision or order of the Supreme Court of Pakistan regarding winter vacations or the collection of additional fees. According to the Alliance’s position, the judicial decision being referred to pertained to the extraordinary situation of COVID-19; therefore, it is necessary to examine the original text of that decision, the specific circumstances, its legal scope, and its applicability in the current situation.
They said that we request the relevant authorities to bring forward a copy of the actual judicial order or decision and its relevant portions so that it can be clarified to what extent it applies to the current fee policy and private educational institutions in Balochistan. We do not say that compliance with any judicial decision is not necessary; our position is that judicial decisions should be implemented according to their original text, legal meaning, and applicable scope.
They said that if any restriction is in force, its clear legal basis and details of application should be provided. Similarly, if any decision pertained to specific circumstances, its application should not be made the basis of a general and unconditional restriction in the current situation without legal review.
They said that we appeal to Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti and Education Minister Raheela Hameed Khan Durrani to take notice of both these matters, direct the relevant authorities to conduct a legal and administrative review, and play their role through the Education Department in bringing forward a clear, written, and actionable policy stance on the matter of private educational institutions’ fees and fee collection during vacations.
They said that we request the Commissioner Quetta Division, Secretary Education Balochistan, and Director Education Balochistan to separately review both the verbal statement and the written communication of the Deputy Commissioner Quetta West and provide clear guidance in light of relevant laws, judicial decisions, and administrative powers, and to give the Alliance’s representatives an opportunity for a meeting so that the issue can be resolved on the basis of documentary evidence and legal points. We hope that the Balochistan government will play an effective role in resolving this matter through consultation, transparency, and legal clarification rather than confrontation.
They said that regarding the fees of private educational institutions, our demand is that a clear, transparent, and uniform policy be provided for the entire province. We acknowledge that the financial difficulties of parents are important and their rights must be protected. Similarly, the expenses of educational institutions also continue throughout the year, including teachers’ salaries, building rents, electricity, water, educational materials, and other necessary expenses. Therefore, in any policy regarding fees, it is necessary to keep in view in a balanced manner the interests of parents and the legitimate financial needs of educational institutions.
They said that a clear interpretation of the laws and rules in force regarding twelve months’ fees and vacation fees should be issued. If there is a restriction on collecting fees for a specific period, its legal basis and conditions should be stated. A uniform policy and understandable guidelines should be provided for all private educational institutions. Before actions such as canceling registration or sealing a school against any institution, compliance with the relevant law, competent authority, and prescribed legal procedure should be ensured. The relevant institution should be given a proper opportunity to present its position and provide clarification.
They said that private educational institutions are playing an important role in the promotion of education in Balochistan. According to figures presented by the Alliance, approximately 3,500 private schools are operating in the province, where more than 900,000 students are enrolled. These institutions are also a source of employment for thousands of teachers and non-teaching staff and continuously bear financial and administrative responsibilities to provide education to children.
They said that we request the Balochistan government and the Education Department to make private educational institutions an active partner in educational reforms so that the public and private sectors can together improve students’ educational performance and the overall educational standard of the province.
They said that if there is no appropriate progress on our concerns, the Alliance, after consultation with its members and relevant stakeholders, will announce its future course of action, which may include peaceful protest, symbolic strike, and other constitutional and legal means in accordance with the law. If the situation persists, further actions may also be considered in joint consultation with private educational institutions across the province. However, in any such decision, the educational continuity of students, the interests of parents, and relevant legal requirements will be given fundamental importance.
