The Jharkhand Parents Association (JPA) has knocked the door of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), urging the Commission to take action against private schools, which have increased the tuition and other fees during Covid-19 pandemic. The JPA president, Ajay Rai though its letter highlighting the facts stated that some private schools have arbitrarily raised their fees which include tuition, development and other fess.
Rai said, “Last year due to the corona pandemic and lockdown the State education department had issued a directive restricting schools from increasing their tuition fees. This year a similar situation is prevailing, in such conditions schools should not increase fees.” Rai also said that as per Jharkhand Education Tribunal Amendment Bill 2017, schools have to constitute a fees regulation committee comprising parents’ participation. As per the committee recommendations, schools can make an increase of ten per cent fees hike within the period of two years. However, none of the schools are following committee recommendations. The Jharkhand Parent Association had earlier made representation to state education secretary, HRD secretary and Chief Minister, but no action has been taken in this connection.
The NCPCR is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament, the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005. The Commission works under the aegis of Ministry of Women and Child Development, GoI.
The NCPCR, on earlier occasions, had raised concerns after complaints about 10 private schools in Bokaro which hiked fees by 15-20 per cent this session. NCPCR asked the department to look into the matter and take proper action against such schools. Increasing school fees is against the advisory issued by NCPCR to private schools during the Covid-19 lockdown on April 04, 2020.
NCPCR, under Section 13 (1) (0) of the CPCR Act, 2005, can inquire into complaints and take suo-moto cognizance in relation to deprivation and violation of child rights.
Ranchi MP Sanjay Seth too has written a letter to Chief Minister Hemant Soren regarding fees hike by private schools. Seth though his letter has stated that the corona pandemic has affected a large section of society financially. There is a crisis of livelihood in front of many families. In all these circumstances, education is something that no family can ignore. Education is one of the essential needs of every family.
He said that at present, a large number of such parents come to him every day, who are very upset about the increased fees and other matters by private schools. As the schools are closed from March 2020, schools are conducting online classes, despite the classes being online, full fees are being taken from the children. Along with the annual fee, many other types of fees are also being charged. Not only this, many schools have also increased their fees at such times.
There is a need to give strict instructions to all such private schools so that schools do not exploit children and parents financially. Solution to this problem can also be found by forming a coordination committee of school management, administrative officers, public representatives and parents.
Seth has expressed confidence that the Chief Minister will take necessary steps in public interest on this important issue.