City-based several English medium schools have increased fees by nearly 25-30 per cent from the 2014-15 sessions to the current 2015-16 session at both primary and middle school level. Peeved over recent fee hike decision by city the schools Parents Association of Jamshedpur has taken decision to launch agitation. The parents have alleged that most of the English medium minority schools namely, loyola English School, Sacred Heart Convent (Bistupur), Carmel Junior College (in Sonari), St Mary’s English High School (Bistupur) and little Flower have increased the fee structure.
Umesh Kumar, president of the association, said like every past year this year too the fees have been hiked. Schools like loyola School have hiked the annual fee and others too are following. The decision is unfair and it will increase burden on the parents. He said that according to norms, schools can only increase fee from three to five per cent but the schools are flouting the norms and rules. But schools have gone for 30 per cent hike.
The parents’ association has also decided to go for lock-up campaign at schools if immediate decision was not taken in favour of the parents. “We have received a copy from the East Singhbhum district superintendent of education, Indu Bhusan following a RTI filed with the state HRD earlier this year. The copy clearly states that unaided minority schools should not charge any fees from students at the primary level (till class seven). However, several unaided minority educational institutions in the city are violating such laid out procedures,” said Kumar.
He said that according to Bihar State Middle School (management and control) Act 1980 unaided minority schools have to take permission from state government before announcing any hike in fees. But no minority school in city is bothered to take permission. “ It is really shocking that the loyola School has enhanced fees by nearly 25-30 percent from the 2014-15 session to the current 2015-16 session at both primary and middle school level. Similarly other schools are also planning to hike schools fees which would further increase financial burden on us. Immediate steps need to be taken to stop the menace,” said Runki Devi.
The parents has submitted a memorandum to the East Singhbhum deputy commissioner Amitabh Kaushal citing the state HRD rules and requesting him to ensure that government directives are followed in the minority schools.