Orissa was asked by the state High Court to resolve the ongoing conflict between parents’ associations and private schools regarding fee hike introduced amidst the pandemic. The state is directed to act as a mediator between parents and schools to arrive at a decision. The decision was announced by a division bench chaired by Chief Justice Mohammad Rafiq. A few private schools in Orissa have increased school fees almost by 10 to 20 percent in April, 2020 .
The mandate came in response to a PIL filed by Odisha Abibhabak Mahasangha opposing the surge in school fees. Since the State government has declared COVID-19 as a disaster, many parents’ associations are also seeking an exemption from payment of private school fees.
School and Mass Education Department Secretary was directed by the High Court to set a meeting with key stakeholders in order to arrive at a quick resolution, amicably.
The meeting will be attended by members of Teachers’ Association, school authorities and the Federation of School Association to discuss introducing redemption of school fees.
Previously, following parents’ complaints the state had formed a fee regulatory body. The authorities appointed were asked to monitor any unjustified hike of fees in schools affiliated to different boards.
“I used to pay school fee of Rs 13,500 quarterly, which has increased to Rs 16,500 per child. It means an additional burden of Rs 4,000 per month…” explains Dharitri Panda while highlighting the financial constraints imposed by the pandemic and further aggravated by fee hike.
