Pvt schools decline flat fee-cut plan

The private schools’ federation on Thursday told the Gujarat high court that the state government’s formula of flat 25% cut in fees is not acceptable to them and asserted that it has its own scheme to grant concession to parents whose income is affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The schools filed a reply in response to the state government’s application seeking HC directions. The government told the court its negotiations with private schools had failed twice, as the schools refused to reduce fees by 25%.

To this, the federation has submitted that the private schools have already accepted reduction in fees, when they decided not to hike fees for the current academic year and will continue with the fee structures of last year.

Though the Fee Regulatory Committee has granted a hike in fees for the current year, the schools have waived off the rise.

On the other hand, none of the medical and dental colleges reduced fees or stopped charging them, though there is no imparting of education till date.

The private schools have been working from day one of the lockdown.

The schools have also reiterated that they should be permitted to go on with their Covid financial aid scheme on case to case basis by applying their parameters.

Those parents whose income is affected can get concession from 10% to 100% in fees. The formula of 25% flat cut would rather benefit those parents more, who do not deserve it.

Moreover, nearly 90% of private schools across the state charge up to Rs 15,000 per year. Such flat reduction will hit them hard.

The schools have submitted that there is already less recovery this year due to the state government’s controversial GR banning collection of fees as long as the schools remain shut, and also because there is no new admissions as schools have not opened for pre-primary level.

The HC is likely to hear the issue on Friday.

The state government moved the HC last month complaining that the schools refused to accept the 25% fee cut formula and they require directions.

This was because the HC had on July 31 quashed the GR prohibiting private schools from collecting fees during the time the schools remain physically shut, and ordered the government to come up with a fresh resolution after negotiating with the schools with open mind and open heart.

Pvt schools decline flat fee-cut plan

 500,069 total views