Parents and concerned citizens here demanded that the State Government bring a law to keep a tab on the mushrooming of private schools and their rising fee structure at a seminar organised by the All India Parents’ Association (AIPA), Rourkela Chapter.
They warned of launching a State wide agitation to put pressure on the Government.
Besides, they also wanted a stringent procedure to check eligibility to open school and quality of education before issuing no objection certificates (NOCs).
They opined that private schools’ functioning be monitored properly so that they don’t take unfair decisions and resort to unethical practices like fleecing parents. They also sought establishment of a
grievance redressal structure and inclusion of the NCERT prescribed books in syllabus only. Regarding fee structure, the AIPA resolved to have a fee fixation committee with DEO/ADEO/BEO/ABEO as its chairperson, one parents’ representative from each class, one representative of the local ULB/LSG, two members from the school management, one social worker having experience in law, child rights and development sector and one accounts expert as members of the committee. It was urged unanimously that the school should charge only one-time admission fee with normal cost as appropriate to school infrastructure and class wise readmission to be done away with. A 24-point resolution was approved.
The seminar was held under the chairmanship of AIPA, State president Pradipta Nayak. Among others, senior advocate Kailash Chandra Pradhan, educationist Kunja Behari Rout, Sisir Samal, Deepika English Medium School Parents’ Association president Santosh Biswal OXFAM India programme officer Santosh Patra, AIPA State secretary Surendra Dash, vice president Nihar Samal and many parents spoke.
Earlier, similar conferences were held at Cuttack and Bhubaneswar and very soon such meetings will be held at Sambalpur, Balangir and Brahmapur, said State secretary Dash.