Private Schools Accused of Denying Free Education to Thousands in Islamabad
A serious issue has emerged in the private education sector of Islamabad, where many schools are allegedly failing to provide free education to deserving students as required by law. This situation has raised concerns among parents, education experts, and policymakers, as thousands of children may be missing out on their fundamental right to education.
The matter came under discussion during a hearing at the Islamabad High Court, where Justice Raja Inaam Ameen Mihas reviewed a petition related to private school fee structures. During the proceedings, a report submitted by the Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority revealed a major gap in compliance with education laws.
According to the report, private schools in Islamabad may be collectively withholding between Rs5 billion and Rs6 billion every year by not implementing the mandatory 10 percent scholarship quota. This quota is a legal requirement under the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2012, which ensures that children from low-income families have access to quality education without financial burden.
Current data shows that there are 1,571 registered private schools in Islamabad, enrolling approximately 389,000 students. Based on the 10 percent quota rule, at least 38,900 students should be receiving free education. However, the majority of institutions have reportedly failed to meet this obligation.
PEIRA has acknowledged the issue and informed the court that notices have been issued to non-compliant schools. The authority has also started collecting data and formed a monitoring committee to track implementation. Despite these efforts, many schools continue to delay or avoid compliance, which highlights weaknesses in enforcement mechanisms.
An unexpected development occurred when the petitioner withdrew the case, bringing judicial proceedings to a halt. This move has sparked concern among legal experts, who believe that the withdrawal could reduce accountability and allow some institutions to escape scrutiny.
Education specialists argue that strict enforcement of the 10 percent quota could significantly improve access to education for underprivileged children. While government initiatives like “No Child Left Behind” aim to increase enrollment, proper implementation of existing laws can deliver faster and more impactful results.
This issue also reflects a broader challenge in Pakistan’s education system, where policies often exist but are not fully implemented. For parents and students, this gap means lost opportunities and continued inequality.
Moving forward, stronger monitoring, transparent reporting, and strict legal action against non-compliant schools will be essential. If enforced properly, the scholarship quota has the potential to change thousands of lives by opening doors to quality education for those who need it the most.
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