State education minister Jagannath Mahto directed private schools on Tuesday to waive a month’s tuition fee and three months bus fees between April to June to help aggrieved parents, many of whom have been demanding certain exemptions citing financial crunch because of the nationwide lockdown.
Mahto made the announcement after a marathon morning meeting with various stakeholders, including parent associations and school authorities, in phases.
“Following extensive deliberations, keeping the interests of parents and private schools in mind, we have decided that the latter will only take two months’ tuition fees of April and May. This apart, they shouldn’t charge anything else in the name of development fees, or other surcharges,” the minister told reporters.
Mahto clarified that only schools that have conducted online classes would be eligible to charge fees. “Schools that have already taken fees in advance will have to adjust it in subsequent months,” he added.
On school buses, he said, “We have asked private schools to waive bus fees between April and May as schools remained closed due to the lockdown.”
In a subtle warning to schools, Mahto said that no school should force any parent to pay fees by issuing threats in any form. “We shall take strict action based on complaints. At districts, a committee headed by deputy commissioners exist to look into issues of schools. Anyone can approach him with genuine complaints,” he said.
Asked about reopening of schools, the minister said the state government was monitoring the situation to take a call at an appropriate time.
While parents’ associations hailed the state government’s decision, private schools citied host of problems and demanded a financial package from the government to meet high recurring costs, including teachers’ salaries.
A principal of a well-known school in Ranchi, said, “We don’t have problems in waiving all charges but the government should think about giving schools financial packages. There are a host of recurring costs that we have to bear even when the schools don’t operate. For example, fixed electricity charges, payments to teachers, bus vendors, and other establishment costs are a few of the recurring expenses.”
Another principal added, “On the one hand the government says don’t cut anyone’s salaries or remove anyone from jobs. On the other hand, if we don’t get fees, how can we pay salaries or retain our full staff strength.”
Ajay Rai, president of All School Parents Association of Jharkhand, hailed the state government’s decision. “We have been demanding it right from the start of lockdown, but better late than never. Although we had called for full fee waiver, but at least the government has provided some relief,” he said.