MHRD urges states to find ‘satisfactory’ solution to school fee issue

NEW DELHI: Speaking on the issue of private school fees, the minister for Human Resource Development, Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, on Friday requested all states to come up with a solution that protects the interests of both parents and schools.

Pokhriyal’s statement comes amid various complaints raised by parents of children in private schools alleging that schools were asking for the entire year’s fee even as lockdown persists due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement shared through his official twitter handle, Pokhriyal said: “It has been brought to my notice by many parents from across the country that even in times of crisis, many schools are increasing their annual fees and taking the current fees of three months together.”

“I hope that the education departments of the states will be working in a satisfactory manner towards better protection of the interests of parents and schools,” he said

Pokhriyal also requested private schools to not raise their annual fees or collect fees in bulk during the lockdown

“At the time of this global disaster, I request all the schools to consider not increasing the annual school fees and not taking the fee for three months together,” he added.

Due to the lockdown, many parents saw their income sources dry up which made it difficult for them to pay the full amount upfront.

Pokhriyal also requested the schools to “provide timely salary to teachers and staff.”

He appreciated states that have taken “positive steps” towards solving the issue and hoped that all states will consider his request.

On the same day, the Delhi Government had directed private schools to only collect tuition fees from parents and to refrain from raising their annual fees without taking permission from the government.

The Central Board of Secondary Education also released a notice requesting states to consider the same.

Also read:

'Collect only one month's tuition fee': Delhi Govt to private schools

Coronavirus Lockdown 2: Many pvt schools have stopped paying teachers

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