Parents protest against fee hike in private schools

RANCHI: Hundreds of parents protested on Friday against hike in fees - re-admission fees, building fees, annual fees charged by private schools.

The agitated parents initiated a signature campaign near ICSE affiliated cradle - St. Francis School at Harmu, drawing attention of passers-by to join their campaign. The protest was held under the banner of parents' association led by its president Amritesh Pathak.

Pathak said, "A late fine is being imposed on the students and these schools are forcing us (parents) to deposit school fees in advance for three months."

There are nearly 40 private schools in the state capital which have hiked the fees by 15-20% and parents are complaining that the hike is unjustifiably high. The private schools administration are also forcing parents to purchase text books, school uniforms, stationary items from particular book stores named by them.

"Since admission at preparatory level has already started, it is the right time to protest against such demands by the schools as well," Pathak said.

Parents demanded the state school education and literacy department to intervene immediately and instruct all the private schools not to charge exorbitant fees along with other demands. They also demanded a roll back in the fees hike. Vijay Pandey, another parent, said "No one is coming forward for discussion.

Even the district administration and district education officials are aware of the problems as private cradles are violating the Right To Education norms but no action has been taken so far." He added, "The state education and literacy department has already prepared a draft to regulate school fees. Three years have passed but the department has not formed any private school fee regulation act till date."