Parents urge edu institutions to reduce fees

Mangaluru: With most resources and infrastructure not being utilised in educational institutions due to online classes, parents have been demanding that educational institutions give a discount of at least 75% in fees, as their wards have not been availing all the facilities offered on campus, which are now closed.
For example, parents of a school near Bendoorwell, who have paid half of the prescribed fees, said that they are unwilling to pay the remaining amount. “Due to the pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns, we have invested in gadgets, internet connections and accessories required for online classes. Our children are not using any facilities on the premises of their educational institutions now. It is not right on the part of educational institutions to demand full fees,” expressed an unhappy parent.
Some parents also said that they are facing a dire financial situation due to the pandemic. “Asking to pay the full fees is not acceptable as our children do not use all the facilities of the school, like labs. Hence, we want the fees to be reduced,” said parents.
Dakshina Kannada DDPI Malleswamy said that a lot of parents have approached the department to ensure that they get a discount in fees from educational institutions. “We cannot do anything since a government circular has asked educational institutions not to hike fees, which they have not done, and reduce fees if possible, which will never happen. The department is acting against only those schools that forcefully collect fees,” he said, adding that some schools considered as small players are willing to reduce fees.
At MAHE
Students of some of the departments of Manipal Academy of Higher Academy have been protesting, as the management has asked them to pay hostel and lab fees, which they are not using for many months. “Our college demanded a full yearly fee from us last week. It has given us time till the end of July to pay it and late payment will attract fines. We understand that we agreed to this amount while taking admissions, but there is no hint as to when the college will open again. As media students, we require labs, libraries and studios. We indefinitely will have online classes, so we think it is unfair that our college is asking for the regular fee despite us not having access to any facility it provides. We have voiced this concern with our college, but they have been silent so far. We haven’t got any response regarding this issue,” complained students of the Manipal Institute of Communication, MAHE. Students studying other courses have also raised this issue.
Dr H S Ballal, pro-chancellor, MAHE, said the institution is not collecting any hostel fee, and as far as the fees are concerned, it cannot be reduced. “Ours is a self-financing private university. As of now classes are held online, and students can use labs and other facilities once the MHRD allows for regular classes on campus,” he maintained.