Mumbai Congress minority department’s vice-chairman demands non-increase of school fees

MUMBAI: Mumbai Congress minority department’s vice-chairman Mudassar Patel has written to CM Uddhav Thackeray, education minister Varsha Gaikwad and guardian minister Aslam Shaikh asking them to instruct private educational institutions not to increase the fees this year and give a concession of six months to pay the fees.
He has also said that only online classes should be allowed till the novel coronavirus pandemic goes away. Since it will be difficult to follow social distancing guidelines if students are asked to visit schools and institutes to be physically present at the classrooms, all classes should be held online.
"Educational institutions should remain closed till the end of Covid-19 pandemic, online classes should start with immediate effect," he said. Patel also said that students should be exempted from giving final examinations in the current year and results should be decided on the basis of the performance in the last examination.
Several parents have complained that schools wanted fees for the next academic year to be paid in advance. "We have always paid the fees on time. But due to the lockdown, we are facing cash crunch and requested the school to give a window period of three months to pay the fees," said a parent at Mira Road.
"People’s financial condition is really bad due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown. Many parents find it difficult to meet the basic needs of the house and if they are given a relaxation of six months to pay the fees, it will really help many families," said Patel. Even the government has asked schools not to put pressure on the parents to pay one-time fees. The Centre plans to suggest the schools not to resume academic activities on the campus until the coronavirus outbreak is contained in the area where the school is located.