-Reshma Ravishanker
The association of parents of students studying in private schools across Karnataka has made a representation to the state government seeking that the fee reduction in schools be enforced this year as well.
Citing that there have been pandemic affected students and parents, the Karnataka State Private Schools Parents’ Association Co-ordination committee has submitted a memorandum to chief minister B S Yediyurappa in this regard.
It maybe recollected that the state government, following representations made by the parents’ association had ordered a fee cut of 30% stating that the pandemic induced financial crisis in several families must not impact the child’s education. Raising objection to this, private schools approached the court to intervene and the matter is sub-judice.
“The pandemic has affected several families. There has been a loss of jobs, families have been put through financial crisis. The fee cut must be extended even this year,” sought Yogananda B N, member of the parents’ association.
The association has also sought that in lines with the measures taken in Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan among the other states, the Karnataka Government should constitute a committee to look into the regulation off fee in private schools.
Responding to this, Shashi Kumar D, general secretary, Associated Managements of English Medium Schools in Karnataka said that the dikar would only apply for the year 2020-21 and there is no question of extension of the same.
“On an average, the medium scale private schools collect between Rs 10,000 to Rs 40,000 fee annually. There are parents who have not paid fee for two years in a row. It is not possible to private schools to function with one more year of fee cut,” he said. The schools’ association has also submitted memorandum to the chief minister in this regard.