Page 47 - Education World July 2020

“Most private schools are conducting online classes despite
non-payment of fees by parents. How does the government
Fees expect us to pay teachers when we have no income? The
Parents not to be compelled to pay fees during lockdown
government is paying salaries to its teachers but not provid-
Online education ing any financial support to the teachers of private schools.
Private schools permitted to conduct online classes We have demanded that the state government advances
loans with low interest rates to schools. Prime minister Nar-
High court order endra Modi announced a Rs.20 lakh crore stimulus package
Madras HC refused to stay online classes until centre but not a single paisa has been allotted for education. This
frames regulations
is sad and unfortunate.” — A tul Srivas tav, president, As-
sociation of Private Schools, Uttar Pradesh
“Because of the government order asking
schools not to compel parents to pay fees,
parents — even those who are financially Fees
capable — have stopped paying. This in Tuition fees to be charged only for
turn has made it very difficult for schools online classes; no fee hike
to pay teachers and non-teaching staff. We
have made several representations to the education min- Online education
No government directive
istry to allow schools conducting online classes to collect
fees. But there has been no response.” — R . V is alaks hi, High court order
president, Tamil Nadu Private Schools Association On July 3, HC refused to interfere with the
government order on school fees

“The state government is not supporting private schools
Fees during this unprecedented crisis. The government changes
Only monthly tuition fees permitted
its stand every fortnight, creating confusion within schools,
Online education students and parents’ communities. As we cannot compel
No government directive parents to pay fees, we haven’t been able to pay many of our
teachers and other staff since March.” — Sures hc handra
High court order R amo la, president, Private Schools Management Associa-
On July 1, Telangana HC directed the state tion, Uttarakhand
to present its policy decision regarding online
classes

“Private schools especially budget private schools in Telan- Fees
gana are experiencing a severe financial crisis. Many par- No fee hike for 2020-21
ents haven’t paid fees for several months resulting in non-
payment of teachers’ salaries, rents and other expenses. The Online education
government has to step forward to rescue the state’s private No government directive
education system from collapse. It should offer interest-free High court order
loans to budget private schools and reduce school building On June 25, the Calcutta HC adjourned a PIL demand-
rents by 30-50 percent. We have submitted representations ing that unaided schools should not be permitted to
to all MPs and MLAs of the state but there has been no collect fees during the lockdown period
response.” — M adhus udhan Sadula, general secretary,
Telangana Recognised Schools Management Association “The state government’s sole directive to private schools
post the Covid-19 lockdown is to not hike school fees for
this academic year. We are thankful to the state govern-
Fees ment which hardly interferes in the functioning of private
Only tuition fees to be collected and schools. It has always been very considerate and has co-
monthly operated with private schools. All private school manage-
ments in the state are taking decisions on online classes
Online education with full autonomy and freedom.” — N ab arun De, joint
Unconditional go-ahead for online classes
secretary and secretary of The Association of Schools for
High court order the Indian School Certificate (WB Chapter)
Allahabad HC dismissed PIL seeking fees to be With Autar Nehru (Delhi), Baishali Mukherjee (Kolkata)
completely waived (June 24) & Shivani Chaturvedi (Chennai)

JULY 2020 EDUCATIONWORLD 47