The Karnataka High Court has ordered notice to the state government on a petition filed by Karnataka Private Schools Commitee, which seeks permission for its members to collect unpaid fees for the previous academic year. It also seeks to collect at least 50 percent of the fees for the academic year 2020-21 on or before September 1. The committee claims to represent managements of about 100 unaided private schools.
The government has been told to file objections within two weeks. Justice R Devdas indicated that the court will consider passing interim orders then. The petitioner has cited the interim order passed by the Madras High Court where unaided schools were allowed to collect 40 percent of fees prescribed for the present year by August 31 and last year’s fees arrears by Sep 30.
The petitioner said that the school managements are facing problems in running their institutions as many parents have not settled dues pertaining to the previous academic year. The petitioner stated that although there are provisions to pay installments, only 2 to 3 percent parents have paid the fees.
The petitioner also claimed that circulars issued on April 24 and 28, where schools were told not to insist on payment of, or increase fees for 2020-21 and that they can only collect fees compared to previous year, have created confusion. The petitioner added that although regular classes are not being held, they have to pay salaries of staff.
Earlier, several private unaided schools in Bangalore blocked access to online classes to students who have not be able to pay fees. Parents complained in Child Line, RTE Task Force and the Department of Public Instruction helplines against the schools. The RTE Task Force alone received 50 complaints, while the DPI helpline collected over 100. In some cases, schools even disallowed students’ participation despite parents paying the fees in installments.
Source: Times News Network
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