I really thought that after the honorable Chief Justice’s steps to reduce fee of private schools I would see the much needed change. I was lucky to have tried my hand at teaching a few years ago. My first salary was 7000 rupees. I was proud of it and didn’t think I was being taken advantage of.
My son goes to a well reputed private school and I have hopes of sending him to Aitchison one day because my husband went to the same school and I like their focus on sports. So after the new law in place the mothers were told in hushed tones that there will no longer be air conditioners and heaters in the classrooms. That certainly got my attention. Then they cancelled an event that takes place every few weeks bringing together parents and their children. They were trying to cut down costs they explained. Even after the deduction the exclusive private schools make enough profit to sustain these activities.
Upon further research I found that the teachers were also going to experience salary deduction. Teachers are already underpaid and it is very unfair. Teachers are also being laid off and the management of expensive private schools are being ruthless. Of course there are private schools that already have a reasonable fee and do not burden the children or their parents but those are few and far between.
The blatant stubbornness of exclusive private schools is expected. They have operated like this for a long time. There are people who think otherwise and feel that this development will put more financial pressure on parents as the schools will manipulate the system. Also private institutions and businesses should be allowed to operate as they see fit. If a person can’t afford a certain private school they should just get their child admitted to a school that is more affordable.
All I know is that this is becoming more troublesome for parents and teachers and not the school as it was intended. And while we are at it please give teachers the salary and respect they deserve.
