Although the application process for enlistment of private educational institutions under the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) scheme is ongoing, approval of new MPO enlistments has been put on hold for now, the Ministry of Education said on Tuesday.

In a statement, the ministry said the interim government will not take any decision on granting MPO status to new educational institutions. The final decision will be taken by the next elected government.

The Secondary and Higher Education Division of the ministry said applications were invited in line with the Manpower Structure and MPO Policy-2025 for private educational institutions, including schools and colleges.

Within the stipulated time, a total of 3,615 applications were received. Of them, 859 were from junior secondary institutions, 1,170 from secondary level, 687 from higher secondary level, 440 from degree (pass) level, 414 from degree (honours) level and 45 from postgraduate institutions.

The applications are currently being evaluated based on criteria set out in the policy. Priorities are being determined by considering eligibility for MPO enlistment, regional balance and other relevant factors.

According to the ministry, automated software-based grading initially identified 1,719 institutions across different categories as eligible for consideration in the first phase. However, the interim government will not make any approval decisions at this stage.

The ministry said it has already sent a letter to the Ministry of Finance seeking consent from the Finance Division after estimating the potential financial implications. Although the number of initially eligible institutions has been determined, detailed institution-wise verification is still underway.

Documents submitted with the applications are being cross-checked with records and online databases of the Ministry of Land, Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE), Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Boards and the National University. Field-level verification will be conducted if necessary.

The ministry said the final list of MPO-enlisted institutions will be prepared in a transparent and objective manner through automated evaluation, online data verification from relevant agencies and, where required, on-the-ground inspections.