The Grand Alliance of Private Schools Associations withdrew its planned strike for January 9 after receiving assurances from Sindh Education Minister Sardari Ali Shah that the government would address its concerns, particularly over the verification process for “freeship” students.
Under existing rules, private schools must provide free education to 10 percent of their enrolled students. The alliance raised objections to how authorities verify freeship data, arguing that the current process has created uncertainty and operational difficulties for schools.
A delegation of the alliance met the education minister on Tuesday to discuss these issues. The meeting included senior officials from the education department and the Anti-Corruption Establishment, as well as representatives from various private school associations.
During the discussion, the delegation voiced concerns that data verification through the Anti-Corruption Establishment blurred the line between verification and investigation. Members said schools and parents in some areas faced inappropriate treatment during the process.
Education Minister Sardari Ali Shah acknowledged the concerns and said the lack of a clear and coordinated verification mechanism had caused problems for private school administrations. He stated that the government respects court rulings related to the freeship policy and will develop an effective and transparent framework to verify data without causing hardship.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to establish a coordinated verification mechanism involving the Anti-Corruption Establishment and the Directorate of Inspection and Registration of Private Institutions. The minister also acknowledged the role of private schools in supporting education across Sindh.
