The Grand Alliance of Private Schools Associations in Sindh has withdrawn its strike call for January 9 after Education Minister Sardar Ali Shah assured the delegation that their concerns regarding the verification of freeship student data would be addressed. Under the freeship rule, private schools are required to provide free education to ten percent of their total enrolled students.
The delegation met with the education minister on Tuesday, accompanied by officials including Anti-Corruption Establishment Chairman Zulfiqar Ali Shah, School Education Secretary Zahid Ali Abbasi, Director General of Private Schools Muhammad Afzal, and representatives from private school associations. During the meeting, the alliance highlighted serious concerns about the procedure for verifying freeship student data, noting that some schools and parents had faced difficulties and inappropriate treatment under the current process managed by the Anti-Corruption Establishment.
The delegation emphasized the distinction between data verification and investigation, pointing out that complaints had emerged from certain areas regarding undue pressure on school administrations and families. Education Minister Sardar Ali Shah acknowledged the validity of these concerns, noting that the absence of a clear and coordinated verification mechanism had created challenges for private school administrators. He assured that the government respects court decisions and committed to devising an effective framework for freeship data verification.
A consensus was reached to establish a transparent and coordinated verification process through the Anti-Corruption Establishment in collaboration with the Directorate of Inspection and Registration of Private Institutions. The mechanism aims to ensure that the concerns of school administrations and parents are fully addressed without causing unnecessary hardship.
The education minister also appreciated the contributions of private schools in promoting quality education in Sindh and emphasized the government’s support for initiatives that strengthen the education sector while protecting the rights of students and institutions.
