No private school will be allowed to increase fees during the coronavirus lockdown and only the tuition fee can be charged till the time schools reopen, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia announced on Friday.
“We have got several complaints about schools hiking fees and also levying charges like transport fee, which is not even being utilised during the lockdown. No private school will be allowed to hike fees without seeking permission from the government. Schools also cannot charge beyond the tuition fee,” Manish Sisodia said.
Manish Sisodia, who is also the education minister of Delhi, clarified that charges such as transport fee, annual fee or any other miscellaneous head cannot be levied during the lockdown, which will continue till May 3.
“No school can charge three months’ tuition fee (at a time), the fee has to be collected monthly. No student’s access to online classes should be restricted, irrespective of fee payment. Also, schools are mandated to pay salaries to their staff including the contractual ones. If they are short of funds, they can reach out to their parent organisation for the same,” Sisodia said.
Stressing on the fact that this order is in compliance with the National Disaster Management Act and the Delhi School Education Act, Sisodia also advised the private schools to take it seriously. He also asked the schools to release full salaries of their employees on time.
“All schools are directed to release full salaries of their staff on time including teaching and nonteaching staff. This order, issued by the Delhi government applies to all permanent, contract and outsourced employees of the schools. Those schools which are not complying with this order will be booked under Delhi School Education Act and National Disaster Management Act,” he said.
WHILE schools were closed and exams postponed at least two weeks before the lockdown was announced, online classes are being conducted by private schools as well as Delhi government-run schools.
Several parents have been approaching the government with requests for fee waivers during the lockdown period.
Manish Sisodia, in an online interaction with parents, had said the government is deliberating on the subject as schools cited concerns about payment of salaries to staff.
However, FICCI ARISE, a collegium of stakeholders who represent different facets of school education, said the move will put private schools in jeopardy and government also needs to come up with some measures for them.
“In light of the facts that there has been practically no fee increase in Delhi for the last five years and schools are being forced to pay seventh pay commission salaries, the schools’ reserves have been completely depleted,” said Shishir Jaipuria, FICCI Arise.
Besides many schools have deficits in their balance sheets for multiple years. Schools have already been drawing on development fees and annual charges to pay salaries to their teachers. This will put several schools in jeopardy and it may become very difficult to revive these institutions that are already in critical care. While taking such measures, the government also needs to come with a slew of measures to save private schools, he added.
