The Public Accounts Committee-III has expressed concern over private schools in Punjab failing to uphold the Punjab Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2014, which requires institutions to offer free education to 10% of students belonging to low-income families.
During a meeting chaired by Ahmad Iqbal Chaudhry, the committee instructed that a special compliance audit be carried out for the top 25% of private schools in Lahore that charge high fees. These schools have been asked to provide a detailed report confirming whether they are implementing the law.
Chaudhry said Lahore would be the pilot district, and similar enforcement would be expanded to the entire province after reviewing the results.
The committee also assessed a performance audit of the Sargodha District Education Authority (DEA) regarding the same issue. Members expressed serious dissatisfaction, noting that DEAs had failed to ensure private schools met their obligations under the Act. PAC-III criticized the absence of senior DEA officials during the session, calling their lack of cooperation unacceptable.
In addition, the committee reviewed 214 audit objections pertaining to District Education Authorities across Punjab, stressing the need for improved oversight and accountability in the education sector.