To provide a mechanism for regulating the fee of unaided educational institutions in the state, the Vidhan Sabha has passed The Punjab Regulation of Fee of Unaided Educational Institutions (Amendment) Bill, 2019.
The amendment will protect the interests of the unfortunate students whose earning family members die during their study in unaided educational institutions, as no fee will be charged from them till the completion of their studies, said the state Education Minister Vijay Inder Singla, whule presenting the Bill.
Further, to expedite the disposals and reduce the inconvenience caused by the complainants, the Regulatory Body constituted under the said Act is proposed to be reconstituted at the district level rather than the divisional level.
Similarly, to curb the practice of unaided educational institution to prescribe specific uniform or books, a suitable amendment has also been proposed in the aforesaid Act.
Opposing the Bill, AAP MLA Kultar Singh Sandhwan demanded to do away with the provision of allowing eight percent annual increase in fees, and instead cap it for five years. He also suggested to upgrade the government schools and regulate the private schools.
Simarjeet Bains demanded implementation of Right to Education Act in letter and spirit, while SAD MLA Parminder Singh Dhindsa demanded to bring down the annual raise by three percent as per the prevailing inflation rate.
