The organization would rather cooperate with the government in implementing the directive to revise school fees every three years, said DK Dhungana, general secretary of PABSON, which is known for hiking fees at the beginning of every academic session.
Dismissing the possibility of hiked fees this year, he claimed that most private schools are in favor of implementing the directive rather than facing protests by student unions after a fee hike.
Last year, All Nepal National Independent Student Union-Revolutionary (ANNISU-R) had enforced an indefinite closure of private schools across the country, demanding that the schools withdraw their hiked fees. Later, the Department of Education (DoE) intervened and directed the schools to reimburse the increase in the fee amount.
The directive that PABSON now wants implemented was endorsed in 2012 by DoE. It was publically defied then by the private schools' umbrella organization.
The directive states that schools should not charge more than Rs 25 for admission forms and Rs 100 in entrance fee. Likewise, it also restricts schools from charging admission fees if a student is promoted to the next grade in the same school.
It likewise puts a limit on the weight of school bags that students carry, depending upon the grade they are in. Also, the standard distance from school for Kathmandu Valley-based students and those across the country has been set and the district education offices authorized to monitor its implementation.
There are around 10,000 private schools in the country. At present, the lowest category of private schools in the Valley charges at least Rs 1,700 to 2,000 as monthly fees.
Chairman of the Guardians Association of Nepal, Suprabhat Bhandari, termed PABSON's attitude a double-edged policy meant to tighten the grip over helpless guardians and students.
"It's now their policy to show that the government could not implement its directive despite their cooperation," added Bhandari.
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