ISA questions fee hike protests; parents say why to pay at all if no classes held

Deepankar Sharda

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 27

“The ongoing protests by parents outside schools are nothing but a politically motivated act organised to tarnish the image of the selected schools,” feels local Independent Schools Association (ISA).

“The school (name withheld) usually hike Rs200 to 300 annually, but this time there is a hike of nearly Rs600 to Rs700. If they are not organising any classes, why should we pay anything. We demand that no fees should be charged, till the time schools don’t re-open,” said Manish Soni, a parent.

When asked if they were paying school fee for summer vacations, Soni said; “Yes, we paid but the school was open for students for two months prior to vacations. Considering the ongoing pandemic, we want that school should not claim any kind of fee.”

Meanwhile, HS Mamik, President ISA, said these protests are politically motivated and moreover these have nothing to do with the fee hikes. “These protests, so far, are been conducted by few parents whereas majority of the parents have already submitted the fees. How’s it possible that no fee would be charge from students…we have EMIs, salaries and other things to give. Now, schools hiking Rs700 are also witnessing such situations. These groups are targeting only selective schools. The school managements are already helping the needy, whenever they are approached,” said Mamik.

He further alleged, “We have been asked to charge the tuition fee and we are going to challenge the decision legally. We have families relying on us and our staff is doing the same work of teaching and managing school things.”

Fee for pre-kindergarten not right, say parents

Meanwhile, a few parents said the protest is for claiming fee for kindergarten classes. “Our children don’t know how to use laptops or phones. What can you expect from a student of pre-nursery or nursery classes? We expected them to learn something in school among other students of their age-group, but on the name of these online classes we have been asked to do teach them.

The schools should waive off the fee for such classes, wherein the contribution of teachers or schools is nil,” said a parent, seeking anonymity.