Various private school organisations across Punjab have expressed serious concerns over the actions of the Education Department and the Punjab Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PEIRA).
They alleged that private educational institutions are being harassed in the name of building fitness certificates. At a meeting of private school organisations, representatives said that, following the incidents in Kahna and Baghbanpura, private schools were being sealed without justification and were being asked to provide building fitness certificates.
They said it remained unclear which authority was legally responsible for issuing the certificates. According to the organisations, the Education Department stated that the Communication and Works Department (C&W) would issue the building fitness certificates. However, the C&W Department declined responsibility for issuing them.
The meeting also alleged that bribes were being sought in the name of building fitness certificates and school registration.
Pakistan Education Council President Mian Imran Masood said the government had no clear policy on the matter. He urged the authorities to consult all stakeholders instead of harassing private schools and to reach a practical solution.
The private school organisations warned that they would launch a protest campaign across Punjab if their demands were not accepted.
