The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday dismissed a petition challenging the recent surge in private school fees, instructing the District Registration Authority to resolve the matter within 21 days. Justice Khalid Ishaq presided over the hearing, which was initiated by Muhammad Ayub and others, who alleged that private schools were imposing arbitrary and excessive fee increases each year.
The petitioners argued that while the law allows only a five percent annual fee increase, certain institutions had hiked fees by as much as 42 percent. Their counsel stressed that such practices placed an undue financial burden on parents already grappling with inflation. During proceedings, the judge inquired about the relevant regulatory authority, to which the petitioners’ lawyer replied that the District Registration Authority, headed by the Lahore Deputy Commissioner, holds the responsibility for addressing such complaints.
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After hearing arguments, the court dismissed the petition and ordered the authority to decide on the matter within three weeks. The decision has sparked mixed reactions, with parents expressing disappointment over the court’s refusal to intervene directly, while some legal experts contend that the ruling reinforces administrative processes. Critics argue that without swift and transparent enforcement, such directives risk becoming mere formalities, leaving parents vulnerable to unchecked fee hikes, while supporters believe that empowering the designated authority is the correct step toward sustainable regulation.