Pakistan—
Private schools are obliged to provide fee concession for siblings studying in the same educational institution. The Peshawar High Court promulgated an Article 106 of Chapter-IV of the nation’s Education Code implementing fee concession last Tuesday. However, several private schools were not concordant with the declaration and so they express disagreement through a written petition. Some of the petitioners include, Forward Schools, Institute of Learning and Motivation, and City School Limited. Despite united effort, the PHC bench chief and Justices rejected the writ petitions. What does fee concession imply? Under the government’s notification, first student from a family will pay full for the tuition fee but the other siblings which will be enrolled at the same school shall pay half of the tuition charge. The Pakistani government is strongly obligating private education schools to enforce such policy. The PHC bench directed parents across the province to place a formal charge with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Director Regulatory Authority of Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education to any educational institution not abiding the Education Code. Farman Kahatakk, Counsel for Haji Nisar, told the court regarding the Finance Act 2001, wherein the provincial government gave special concession to all private schools but did not implement the government’s notification of fee concession for siblings in the same educational institution. On the private schools appeal, the former advocate General Oazi Rashidul Haq argued with the Article 106 of Chapter-IV of the Education Code as a violation of the Constitution as well as other laws embodying private education. He pointed that such laws weren’t created after the creation of Pakistan, thus, the government has no right of issuing any of it. He stressed that the Education wasn’t mentioned in the Pakistan Adaptation of Existing Laws of 1947, West Pakistan Laws Order, 1964, Federal Laws Order, 1975, and NWFP Laws Order, 1975.
Private schools reported to be great contributors of income in a said state. The independently aided education system contributed to $54.3 billion of New York’s economy in the year 2009. Various reports were collected from different research institutions showing the significance of private schooling in the state and to its economy. The Center for Governmental Research conducted a study released by the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities indicating a 21,000 direct and indirect employment and a payroll of more than $1 billion. Statewide reports show that there are about 33,000 students enrolled in various private colleges while 100 of private higher education providers employed 360,200—and a payroll of $19.56 billion. The analysis included two private universities – Cornell University and the University of Rochester as top state employers of 2009. Despite on-going recession, private schools have been anchoring New York’s economy. The direct impact of the global economic rundown was obvious, however, private schools continued to grow – from $47.5 billion in 2007 into $54.3 in the year 2009. When times got harder, private schools provided a diverse base of higher education for the state aside from large revenues. Private schools in the capital region directly spent $1.43 billion on instruction, administrative and ancillary services as well as other academic medical centers. They also made direct and induced spending of $1.24 billion which is paid to employees – spent locally. Also, private colleges and universities spent as much as $532 million on employer’s salary and construction wage – along with $480 million induced and indirect spending while students and visitors spent $145 million – with $121 million worth of induced and indirect spending. Definitely, private schools in New York became a formidable business – inducing competition, technology, and economic development, according to economists Kajal Lahiri. He compares the situation with the University at Albany, where he is a professor, how it came to impact the economy of the region.
Private schools are self-funded and do not rely on government support. The life blood of theses private education provider is the student’s tuition fee. But could it be possible that the government provide financial support for poor and low performing school students to be enrolled in private schools instead of allocating huge budgets on low-performing schools? Private schools are renowned as standard schools as well as blue ribbon education institutions. This is because of the sufficient fund they can generate through collecting expensive tuition fees. On the other hand, public schools are facing shortage due to enormous budget cuts. Meanwhile, against all odds alternatives have been initiated such as increasing the class size—which in turn not very favorable for students and far from the class structure of private schools. Will it be wise and practical to simply phase out low-performing public schools and transfer those students in private schools? Looking at the education experience, private education might be the best alternative for the problem. Regarding public schools, low-performing schools are part of the budget and to phase them off can be a good solution. Those pupils which are enrolled at such schools needs more than what they are learning for the meantime. Giving them the opportunity to experience a thorough and specialized education might increase the chances of graduation and decrease the number of drop outs. Moreover, the government could employ agreements on private schools to offer discounts and places for poor children. This could cut down the cost of sustaining low-performing schools as well as prevent the class size expansion. Expanding the sizes is very risky for the students. Teachers will have more work to do and the attention given will definitely mark down. These possibilities are very alarming and could not be traded off by cutting down the budget cuts for schools.
Soweto—
the increasing number of parents inclined in sending their children unto private unaided schools couldn’t be stopped. Despite the global recession, parents are determined to give their children what they consider as “the best of education”. As compared by the South African Institute for Race Relations, the number of students in private schools had increased into 50 percent while only 1.6 percent for public schools. The research indicated back in the year 2000 there were 11.6 million students attending government schools and drastically increased into 11.8 million in the year 2009. On the other hand private school attendance went to 386,098 from 256,283 in 2009. North West came to be the highest decline rate ever recorded for public school attendance—at exactly 15 percent, Eastern Cape enrollment decreased by 5 percent, 14 percent in Free State and 9 percent in Limpopo. On the other hand, Northern Cape made the greatest increase in public school enrollment between 2000 and 2009 increasing up to 35 percent. However, repots were relatively low base since pupils attending public schools in the province only accounts to 2 percent of the public school students of South Africa. According to the researchers, the diminishing number of students in public schools only proves that parents are losing faith in government school system. It was then reported that several parents are organizing independent study for their children—a visible evidence of families diminished goodwill with the public education program of the government. Research also projected those no-fee schools in Africa account to half of all the schools in the country. No-fee schools are 55 percent of South Africa’s public schools. Meanwhile, Eastern Cape has the highest number of no-fee schools accounting to 3,699 schools. No-fee schools do not require tuition fees; there are also no fee schools in Limpopo, Free States, and KwaZulu-Natal.
Winter season has caused schools in Patna, India to remain close until January 14 as extended by the state human department. Kids are obliged to stay at home and extend their vacation for more days. The biting 5 degrees caused the extension of vacation for public and private schools in Patna. The HRD notified Sunday for schools to remain close as requested by most parents. The mandate has been approved by the state HRD principal secretary Anjani Kumar Singh. All private unaided schools as well as government schools will be opening on January 15, however, most of the private schools had classes for students of class IX and X with the reason of completing their syllabus. But Loyola High School principal, Brother Felix defended that they only extended winter breaks for juniors but accordingly, classes are now shut down for all levels. The states decision to cancel classes has been a relief for parents. Children should be indoors due to extreme cold conditions. The recorded temperature for the state capital is lower than 5 degrees Celsius while Gaya was the coldest with a dropping temperature of 2.6 degrees and a maximum of 14.8 degree Celsius. On the other side, Purnia and Bhagalpur has a recorded temperature of 6.3 and 8 degree Celsius with a maximum of 17.5 and 14.6 degrees. Meanwhile, the temperature keeps dropping in different states of India—experiencing a severe cold wave. According to IMD sources, cold waves will continue in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, MP, Delhi, Punjab, and etc while dense fogs will be prevalent over the states in 48 hours. Originally, school days and Christmas break is to end on January 3, but due to the freezing conditions, classes were moved to January 8 and accordingly again move by the government until January 14 because of prolonged dropping temperature.
The best education is expected in private schools as well as the most expensive fees the family should pay. The US Education figure shows a $3,267 for private elementary schools nationwide. Some schools may be more expensive and heavy for some families. However, does paying high enough means quality education? Examining the path of the tuition fees collected by the private school is the only way to find out its worthiness. The following questions may follow: • Does the private school provide fast and reliable services? Such as convenience in admission and updated student account?
• Is the system automated and with prime use of computers as well as centralized management information systems?
• Is the school library equipped with updated books and modern facilities?
• Regarding the classroom, does the school provide modern educational technologies such as projectors, computers, and audio-visual widgets?
• Are the teaching staffs and professors highly qualified?
• Does the private education school bring their students in academic/extracurricular competitions and other opportunities to excel?
These are few of the evaluators of the school findings in effective utilization. Since private and independent schools do not rely on government funds, it is reasonable for the school to charge higher fees compared to public schools. However, if the private school charges higher fees but do not reflect the expected quality of education; it is advisable for the family to move their children unto other education providers. The Department of Education do not tolerate abusive private schools despite the fact that government units do not hold all powers in interfering with private education. In some countries, such as India and Australia, private schools are in battle with authority for complete independence. As a parent, check your private school if they operate based on the tuition fee charge. Other significant factors such as student performance hold the basis for the schools credibility and worthiness.
Private schools are more likely being situated on the verge of criticism and government scrutiny. Different issues are thrown on independent schools worldwide. This can range from charity and bursary matters, financial transparency, and tuition fee control. But on the other side, private schools are often considered as the provider of excellent education over other systems. Bursary and charity issues – Independent schools in UK have been scrutinized due to lack of charity work regarding to bursaries. According to law of the land, it is significant for independent education providers to offer seats for poor families. The goal is good; however, the government branch controlling charity had noticed failure of some independent schools to fulfill their obligations. On the other hand, the recession has pushed some private schools to cut budget because of low enrolment and high inflation rate. Independent and private schools do not receive funding from the government and primarily depends on parent’s tuition fees. The argument
