The financial burden imposed by a section of private schools is acting as a veil on the merit of students, West Bengal Education Minister Partha Chatterjee said on Saturday.
His statement comes a day after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that her government would formulate a policy to put a check on huge fees and donations charged by private educational institutions in the state.
"On the pretext of a gamut of extra-curricular activities, the financial burden that is being imposed on families is not honouring the merit of students. We will talk about it with everyone.
"Our ultimate aim is to see that a student's merit does not get hampered due to the financial burden. Many private schools are really good and are providing quality education," the minister told the media here.
"Many government schools that have a track record of good results are above such issues. Learning place can't be an earning place," Chatterjee said, adding the Chief Minister would talk to schools soon.
Addressing the assembly on Friday, Banerjee said while there were many private schools, colleges and universities doing a good job in the field, "there are some who are charging excessively and asking for exorbitant donations".
"I have nothing against those who can and are willing to pay. That's their right. But I feel there has to be some control," Banerjee added.
--IANS
sgh/ssp/nir/bg
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)