KARACHI – The Sindh School Education Department has issued strict directives to private schools across the province, including Karachi, to immediately refund illegal fees collected from matriculation (Grade 10) students for the months of April to July 2026.
The Directorate of Inspection and Registration of Private Institutions Sindh took serious notice of the issue following numerous complaints from parents. According to the official circular, several private schools had unlawfully charged students for the months during which they were appearing for their board examinations.
The Schools’ Stance Declared Illegal
The Directorate addressed and rejected two main justifications presented by various school administrations: Practical Examination Fees: Some schools claimed the extra charges were for practical examinations. The Directorate dismissed this, clarifying that practical exam costs are already covered under the regular monthly tuition fees. Academic Year Extension: Other schools argued that since the academic year commenced in August 2025, they were entitled to collect fees up to July 2026. Officials stated that this practice directly violates the decisions of the Steering Committee and is entirely illegal.
Strict Penalties for Non-Compliance
The Directorate has categorically ordered all involved private schools to reimburse the fees collected for April–July 2026 without delay.
Failure to comply with these orders will result in severe legal consequences, including:
- Heavy fines.
- Suspension or permanent cancellation of the school’s registration.
- Cases being forwarded to the educational board for further disciplinary action.
Monitoring and Enforcement: To ensure strict implementation of this directive, official inspection committees will conduct surprise visits to schools. Reports on violating institutions will be submitted promptly to initiate immediate legal action.
