KOLKATA: A large number of schools have managed to collect nearly 90% arrears from defaulting parents. Happy with the parents who have connected with them over the past one month and cleared the pending fees, school heads pointed out 10% defaulters were a routine affair. But, they said, they were burdened this time, given they had to waive 20% tuition and session fees.
Now that they have collected a major chunk of the payments, it was becoming easier for them to help those who have not paid yet and could extend deadlines or offer instalments. “We have about 6% parents who default all year long and only towards the end of the academic session do they pay. We are used to this persuasion routine and expect to reach 100% target by the end of the academic year,” said Brigadier V N Chaturvedi, spokesperson for Birla High School and Sushila Birla School.
More than 96% parents of classes X and XII students have made payments, said Shri Shikshayatan School. For them, the school has been able to help parents in distress by extending the payment deadline to December 31 and is continuously conversing with them. “About 10% defaulters is always the case but because we have not been able to increase fees this time and had to waive 20% fees, we have gone back to the 2017 structure,” said spokesperson Bratati Bhattacharya.
Many schools felt since most parents have written to them, saying they did not wish to take the waivers, they could extend deadlines and accept tailor-made staggered payments on case basis. At La Martiniere schools, at least 70% parents did not take the waiver and over 90% parents have cleared the dues. “We are happy with our tally and have extended the deadline to month-end. By then, we hope to reach our target,” said secretary Supriyo Dhar. The school had sent letters to defaulters and over the past one month, the major chunk of outstanding was cleared.
Most parents at Don Bosco Park Circus also met principal Father Bikash Mondal and said they wanted to pay full fees, bringing down the percentage to defaulters to less than 10. “I have decided not to rush anyone and by the end of the academic year, everyone will clear the dues because I am keeping the office open for anyone to come and see me with their problems,” he said.
South Point and MP Birla, too, said they made rapid progress and asked defaulters to pay by December 19 or apply for additional waivers, citing reasons and documents.