LAHORE - All Pakistan Private Schools Management Association (APPSMA) has disapproved the proposed value added tax on private schools.
In a press conference at Lahore Press Club here on Tuesday, President APPSMA Adeeb Javedani said that the new tax would affect about 20 million private students. He said Pakistan was the only country where govt was going to enforce tax on the school fee.
He said the govt was responsible to provide education to every citizen according to the constitution. He said the government has adopted the policy of æloot and run. He also expressed his reservation on Zulfikar Ali Bhuto’s policy of nationalisation of private schools in 1972. He apprehended a dark future of millions of students due to the tax, as parents would have to bear directly the burden of the same. He further said private schools were already paying taxes under many heads to the government and criticised the decision of Revenue and Finance Standing Committee of National Assembly.
He said the govt should stop the corruption of Rs1300 billions of assemblies members, which was pointed out by former Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin. He urged the government to make education friendly policies to develop literacy rate in the country and to facilitate private sector in this regard.
Later, a protest demonstration was staged by APPSMA in front of LPC. The protesters chanted slogan against the value added tax and demanded of the govt to stop its enforcement. They warned the govt to launch a movement if the new tax would not be stopped.
Private schools warn govt of countrywide strike
Islamabad, May 10: All Pakistan Private Schools Management Association (APPSMA) Saturday held a protest demonstration against the imposition of Value Added Tax (VAT) on private educational institutions and warned the government of countrywide strike if the decision was not withdrawn.
More than a dozen representatives of private schools assembled in front of National Press Club (NPC) here on Saturday. They were carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans “VAT unacceptable” and "Stop killing future of students’.
The protesters said the private sector was helping government extend the education network in the country and benefiting million of students. They said imposition of VAT had put the future of many students at risk.
APPSMA President Abrar Ahmed Khan addressing the protestors termed the government’s decision financial murder of private institutions. He said more than 80,000 private schools were functioning in the country
“According to the 1973 constitution it is the prime responsibility of the government to give education to every individual in the country but unfortunately government instead of doing so was creating hurdles in this regard through such decisions,” he said. He demanded that the government take back this decision otherwise they had no option except to launch countywide protest. Daily times
http://www.interface.edu.pk/students/May-10/Private-schools-countrywide-strike-against-VAT.asp