Punjab government issues order on regulation of fee, uniforms, book purchases in private schools

Chandigarh, April 12: The Punjab government has issued an order to enforce the directions given by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on regulating the fee, uniforms, and book purchases concerning private schools in the state, on Tuesday. According to the orders issued on Tuesday, schools are directed to notify and display the specification of the uniforms and books at a conspicuous place and that the parents will have the liberty to purchase books and uniforms from any place of their choice. The Punjab Regulation of Fee of Unaided Educational Institution Act, 2016 "directs all unaided institutions to notify and display the specification of uniform and books at the conspicuous place and the parents shall be at liberty to purchase...from any place of their choice," the recent order read. Also Read | India not violating any sanctions by importing Russian oil: US after Modi-Biden meet The notification further says that "in case of change in the design of the uniform, the existing students shall be given a period of 2 years to buy the newly specified uniform," adding that "Till that time, students shall be allowed to wear existing uniforms." The order, however, does not mention CM Mann's order related to the fee hike. Last month, the Punjab CM announced that no private schools would increase the fee during the current semester of academic session 2022-23. "As pronounced by the various courts from time to time and has been reiterated by this office, the increase in school fees is not the inherent right of the unaided institutions. Therefore, any violation of the provisions of the Act relating to the fixation of fees by unaided institutions shall be strictly dealt with," read the order. Also Read | 11,000 MT of rice from India reaches Colombo ahead of new year celebrations -PTC News