The tuition fee increase of prominent city schools for the fresh academic session (2014-15) is bothering the parents. According to parents, there has been around 15 to 25 percent rise in the school fees this year. State Human Resources Development (HRD) Minister Geetashree Oraon has decided take action over such schools through an official notice scheduled to be released this week.
“Private schools like Bishop Westcott Girl’s School in ICSE board and Delhi Public School in CBSE board are said to have increased their fees. Also, the bus fare is expected to be increased by above 20 per cent. In such scenario, many of the parents have approached us to think of a prompt solution,” said Ajay Rai, Convenor of Federation of Jharkhand Abhibhavak Mahasangh.
Notably, the federation members met HRD Minister last week and had requested her to consider over this matter. The Minister has planned to enquire into the five-year budget details of the respective schools in a format so that the fund allotted for staff salaries and for 25 percent seat reservation of Below Poverty line students under Right to Education Act can be observed.
“On Wednesday, I will instruct principal secretary K Vidyasagar to take a note on this issue and send an order relating this problem,” said Oraon. On the other side, schools like St Thomas School have introduced the option of purchasing bags and shoes of specific brands, the parents are feeling relieved that it has not been made mandatory.
“Fee hike is a concern for us because it affects the family budget. So, does the bus fare. It is good that each school has coordinated with particular book shops or are distributing the books themselves,” said Maitree Roy, a hotel staff whose son is studying in St Thomas. Similar were the words of Suchita Thakur and Sumona Nandi whose children are studying in Tender Heart and St Xavier’s Schools respectively.
Meanwhile, Rai pointed on Bishop Westcott School’s procedure of not incorporating National Council of Educational Research and Training books. “My daughter is promoted to class fourth. When I went to take books, the ones given to me are not NCERT books and the MRP was not written. I am planning to file a case against the school,” he said.