Don't force parents to pay fee in advance, Uttar Pradesh government tells schools

Isha Jain | TNN | Updated: Apr 9, 2020, 10:19 IST

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LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday directed school authorities across the state not to force parents to pay three-month advance fees as many are grappling with reduced earnings due to the lockdown. This has come as a huge relief for parents who suffered pay cuts or had low business turnover due to the pandemic shutdown. Now, parents can pay fee on a monthly basis.
In a government order, principal secretary (secondary education) Aradhana Shukla directed district magistrates, district inspector of schools and director secondary education to ensure that no child is barred from attending online classes run by schools due to unpaid fees.
Several schools are compelling parents to pay three-month advance fee (from April to June) and some schools are striking off names of children who didn't pay fees, the GO stated. Usually, schools charge fees on a quarterly basis.
"This is an extraordinary situation and no schools should expel students for non-payment of fee. Schools have been asked to consider plea of parents requesting to late fee payment," Shukla told TOI.
The government order also states that schools can adjust the fee in later months through instalments. In case of non-compliance from schools, parents can lodge complaints with the district fee regulatory committee.
President, Unaided Private Schools Federation, UP Anil Agarwal, said, "We will not pressurize any parent to deposit fees in advance. But we also request those who can afford to pay fees to enable reimbursement of salaries to teaching and non-teaching staff."