9 schools yet to respond on fee hike, says DEO

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 17

The ultimatum given to 40 private schools to reduce fee that was hiked more than 8 per cent ended on Tuesday, but nine schools, which are yet to respond, were given two more days.

District Education Officer Amardeep Singh Saini informed this to a delegation of the Punjab Parents Association (PPA) here today.

Members of the association, led by president MK Sharma, urged him to raise the standards of the government schools.

These schools were found violating the Punjab Regulation of Fee of Unaided Education Institutions Bill, 2016. Failure to abide by the direction will compel the education officials to forward the names of the erring schools to the higher authority for further action, he said.

Sharma said according to the norms, unaided private schools can’t increase their fee more than 8 per cent annually.

PPA sought amendments in the Act, seeking 30 per cent plunge in the existing fee structure of all private schools, besides ensuring the implementation of Right to Education (RTE).

“Legal experts must be added to the regulatory body. In addition to parents, NGOs and social organisations must also be allowed to lodge complaints to the regulatory body,” Sharma said.

“Funds like re-admission and annual fee must be abolished. The Deputy Commissioners and the District Education Officers must be empowered to take the action against the schools violating the guidelines of the Act,” said the members of the association.

According to MK Sharma, president of the Punjab Parents Association, there should be an upper ceiling of fee and funds, just like Gujarat did by introducing a fee regulatory Act.

Meanwhile, Kamal Dalmia, president, Mall Road Welfare Association, praised the PPA for its long struggle in the interest of parents.