Maharashtra govt announces slashing of school fees by 15 per cent

MUMBAI: In a bid to provide relief to students and parents, the state government decided to issue directives to all private schools affiliated to all the boards, to reduce the fees by 15 per cent during the Covid-19 pandemic situation.
Minister for school education Varsha Gaikwad, after attending the state cabinet meeting, briefing the media said, “The state cabinet decided to issue a notification regarding 15 per cent reduction of school fees which will be applicable to across all education boards and the notification will be issued in the next two days.” She added that the decision will be enforced for the current academic year 2021-22.
She added that the decision was taken based on the Supreme Court (SC) order in the Rajasthan case.
In May first week, in its verdict in a Rajasthan matter, the SC asked private education institutions to reduce fees by 15 per cent as their expenditure has come down with various facilities provided on campus remaining closed.
The court also directed the schools to not debar any student from attending either online classes or physical classes on account of non-payment of fees, arrears or outstanding fees.
Minister further said that parents who have not paid fees yet will get a discount of 15 per cent while paying and the state will come up with clarification about parents who have already paid the fees. She hopes that no school will attempt to increase the fees by 15 per cent as the orders have been issued last year, to not increase school fees.
She pointed out that it will be mandatory for all schools to follow the state directives and warned of stern action will be taken in case schools do not follow the orders.
The education department received lots of complaints over the conflict between private schools and parents on schools overcharging fees for extracurricular activities such as the use of libraries, sports, and school bus facilities without providing facilities.
Meanwhile, a key committee, the Divisional Fee Regulatory Committee (DFRC), was not operational for over a year and parents and schools clashed over fees before public representatives, education officials and even the judiciary.
The SC last week came to the rescue of parents in the state-directed Maharashtra government to consider its May judgement to Rajasthan schools to collect 15% reduced fees.