The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday issued notices to the Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PEIRA) in a petition filed by the Private Schools Association of Islamabad challenging the enforcement of a legal provision requiring private educational institutions to reserve 10% of their seats for deserving students free of cost.
Petition Challenges Mandatory Quota Without Government Support
A single bench of IHC comprising Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir conducted the hearing of the petition moved by the association. The petitioners argued that the mandate, without government financial support, could force many schools to shut down. They challenged provisions of the Private Educational Institutions (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2012, under which PEIRA has issued notices to schools directing them to submit details of students admitted under the mandatory quota before July 10.
Court Questions Schools' Stance on Social Responsibility
During the hearing, the association’s counsel contended that providing free education is the government’s responsibility and that private schools are receiving no subsidies or quotas from the state to implement the policy. At this, Justice Tahir questioned the association’s stance, observing that providing free education to two students in a class of 18 should not create a significant burden. Addressing the association’s president, the judge remarked that if schools lacked the capacity to accommodate 10% deserving students, they should reconsider operating altogether, emphasizing that educating children is a social responsibility.
Next Hearing Set for August 2
The court subsequently issued notices to PEIRA and other respondents, directing them to submit their replies before the next hearing scheduled for August 2.
