CUTTACK: The Orissa high court on Monday asked the state government to propose a uniform reduction in tuition fees for students of private schools in the state because of the pandemic. The advocate general, Ashok Kumar Parija, sought time from the high court to take instructions from the government.
The division bench of Chief Justice Mohammad Rafiq and Justice Biswanath Rath has posted the matter for hearing to December 2, Odisha Abhibhabak Mahasangha counsel V. Narasingh told TOI.
The secretary, school and mass education department had submitted a report on six slabs, which have been agreed upon by the different stakeholders, after mediation. It also contained an MoU signed by all stakeholders. “The court may consider accepting the MoU signed by all stakeholders and pass an appropriate order. This will help parents whose income has been affected,” the government stated.
The slabs included waiver of 26 per cent for school fee above Rs 1 lakh per annum, 25 per cent for school fees from Rs 72,001 to Rs 1 lakh per annum, 20 per cent for school fees from Rs 48,001 to Rs 72,000 per annum, 15 per cent for school fees from Rs 24,001 to Rs 48,000 per annum, 12 per cent for school fees from 12,001 to Rs 24000 per annum and 7.5 per cent for school fees from Rs 6,001 to Rs1,2000 per annum. No waiver has been agreed upon for school fees up to Rs 6,000.
Earlier, the high court had asked the state government to mediate over the dispute. For the last six months, the high court has been adjudicating over three PILs seeking exemption of school fee for students of private schools in view of the pandemic. The petitions have been filed by the Mahasangha, Mohamed Mustaq and Prahallad Rout.