No question of reducing school fees this 12 months, say private schools in Karnataka

Private school managements have dominated out any discount in school fees for the 2021-22 tutorial 12 months, however say they might accommodate funds in a number of instalments. At a press convention on Sunday, representatives of the Karnataka Private School Managements, Teaching and Non-Teaching Staff Coordination Committee (KPMTCC) defended the choice, citing a drop in enrolment and non-payment of fees from the earlier tutorial 12 months.

This comes amid a stand-off between school managements and oldsters, and Minister for Primary and Secondary Education S. Suresh Kumar just lately saying the scenario was no completely different now when in comparison with final 12 months when the federal government had fastened a 70% cap on school fees.

“Unaided private schools are already reeling under heavy losses. The 70% fee cap order by the State government was only for the last academic year and does not apply for this year,” stated Shashi Kumar, convenor of KPMTCC. He added that they’d additionally challenged the 70% cap order in court docket.

“There is a drop of about 20% in new admissions and over 40% of the students have fee dues from last year. Moreover, the State government has not cleared the RTE refund of about ₹700 crore in the State, adding to our woes. In this situation, there is no way we can reduce the school fee this academic year,” stated Mr. Kumar.

Private school managements have just lately come below extreme criticism as some schools have been reportedly roping in moneylenders to coerce mother and father to take loans and pay the fees. This was condemned by Minister Suresh Kumar as nicely. In response, the KPMTCC stated the Minister’s assertion was “sweeping and generalised”. The authorities ought to take motion towards erring schools, however not tar all of them with the identical brush, it stated.

KPMTCC members additionally voiced their issues over pending price dues from final 12 months. “How do we give admissions to students who have not paid their fee for the last year? When pressed for the fee dues, many parents are seeking transfer certificates. Is it fair to leave the school after taking service for a year and not paying for it? There are many High Court orders that allow us to withhold the results of such students. The government should sort out this issue soon,” Mr. Kumar stated.