Hyderabad: A meeting to review the implementation of the government’s 10 percent free education policy in private educational institutions and ensure the inclusion of deserving students was held today at the office of Commissioner Hyderabad Division Fayaz Hussain Abbasi at Shahbaz Building, Hyderabad. Relevant education officials briefed the Commissioner on the policy mechanism and its implementation status.
The meeting was informed that private schools are required to provide free education to 10 percent of their total enrolment from Grade 1 to Grade 10. Under the policy, eligible students are exempted from tuition fees and other related expenditure, while admission fees are payable in accordance with the applicable policy.
The government education department is also in the process of recruiting education inspectors to monitor implementation of the policy at private educational institutions and verify data relating to eligible students.
Commissioner Hyderabad Fayaz Hussain Abbasi said the fundamental objective of the free education facility was to ensure access to quality education for deserving children who might otherwise be deprived of better educational opportunities due to financial constraints.
He observed that 10 percent free education policy could be reviewed and further strengthened to ensure that its benefits reached the students who genuinely needed them.
He directed the concerned officials to undertake a pilot assessment in selected private schools and colleges until the appointment of inspectors, with a particular focus on identifying deserving students and determining whether the 10 percent free education facility was reaching its intended beneficiaries. He further directed the concerned authorities to submit a report on the findings within 10 days.
The Commissioner emphasized that the accurate identification and selection of deserving students was critical to the effective implementation of the policy. He said providing such students with opportunities to study at quality private institutions could significantly strengthen their educational journey and future prospects.
The meeting was informed that approximately 20 colleges and 1,600 private schools operate across Hyderabad Division, and coordinated measures are being undertaken to review compliance with government education policies.
The meeting was attended by Director Private Colleges Pir Ghulam Rasool, Assistant Commissioner General Saima Noor, Deputy Director Naveed Shah and other relevant officials.