QUETTA: National Education Council (NEC) has condemned the Private Education Regulation Act of Balochistan as a draconian law.

This statement was made by Chairman NEC Syed Khalid Shah, General Secretary Abdul Hanan and Deputy Chairman Khalid Mehmood while addressing a Press conference in Quetta Press Club, on Sunday.

Delegation of NEC is on a special visit of Quetta to support private school associations of Balochistan in their drive against private education act.

Office bearers of private school associations of Balochistan were also accompanying NEC delegation in the press conference.

Private Educational Institution Registration and Regulation Authority Act, 2015 was passed by Balochistan Assembly in October and it has been a source of controversy since then.

NEC delegation said that draconian law of private education regulation bill, in the name of promoting education, is not acceptable.

Balochistan Education Foundation (BEF) was established with the help of World Bank to help private schools in Balochistan but through the so-called private education regulation act, education department has been bypassed and all powers of regulation have been shifted to BEF, lamented NEC chairman.

It was revealed in the press conference that registration of 2,270 schools of province has unnecessarily been suspended due to enforcement of this act.

“If a private school could not re-register within the stipulated time period then owner can be sentenced to 6 months imprisonment and can be fined up to Rs. 50,000,” said Mr. Shah.

It was alleged in the press conference that BEF will effectively collect extortion money from private schools in the garb of private education regulation. Education inspectors can fine any school at will, through this act, which is unacceptable – said the NEC delegation.

It was revealed that due to registration expenses, private schools have increased their fees and that has put additional burden on parents.

Mr. Shah said that Balochistan government has jeopardized the future of over 40,000 students studying in private schools by enforcing the draconian act of private education regulation.

NEC delegation demanded from government of Balochistan to repeal the draconian law of private education regulation so that private schools can focus on teaching students.

Earlier, Secretary Education government of Balochistan Abdul Saboor Kakar had told Balochistan Express that Private Education regulatory bill will be redrafted to remove controversial clauses from it.,

However there has been no headway on this course of action so far.