Kalimpong, Feb. 19: Anglo-Indians schools here have agreed to give concessions on tuition fees to students who cannot afford the hefty hike incorporated last year.

The meeting was called by the GNSF, the students’ wing of the GNLF, to find a breather for parents who are having difficulty paying the inflated tuition fees and also hammer out several other issues.

Anglo-Indian schools hiked tuition fees in August last year after the state government curtailed dearness allowance grants from 132 to 41 per cent.

The meet was attended by principals from different Kalimpong schools like Scottish University Missionary Institution (SUMI), Girls’ High School, Kumudini Homes, Dharmodaya school, St Philomina’s School, Jubilee High School, Rockvale Academy, Saptashree Gyanpeeth, and Dr Grahams’ Homes.

“The demands we put forward centred around reduction of school fees since several guardians cannot afford the hiked fees. Efforts should be made to ensure that students are not deprived of good education because of this,” said GNSF president Anil Lopchen.

“A resolution has been passed, according to which, the institutions will provide concessions to students whose parents cannot afford the hiked tuition fees and have taken their wards out of the school,” he added.

The schools will process applications of candidates applying for a concession after the GNSF forwards the cases to them, said principal of SUMI N.R. Pradhan. “We have agreed to provide free education in genuine cases,” he added.

The schools have also agreed to withdraw the stipulation that school uniforms be purchased from a single shop.

“Earlier, parents had to buy uniforms from a particular shop specified by the schools. As a result of the monopoly, prices increased and quality of the garments suffered,” said the GNSF president.

Other decisions taken were reduction of computer fees at the junior level and slashing rates of “unnecessary fees” like water and telephone.

“In some schools there are fees charged for water harvesting and telephone connection. We have agreed to put a stop to those,” said Pradhan.

Schools not present at the meeting will be given a copy of the resolutions passed.

“We will visit the schools that did not attend today’s meeting with a copy of the resolutions passed,” said Lopchen.

The representatives of several schools have urged the GNSF to lend a hand in dealing with rising cases of drug addiction on campus.

“We have asked the GNSF to stay alert and inform us about any such cases,” said Pradhan.