Maharashtra government slashes school fees by 15%

In a major relief to parents and guardians, the state cabinet on Wednesday decided to slash private school fees for the current academic year by 15%

In a major relief to parents and guardians, the state cabinet on Wednesday decided to slash private school fees for the current academic year by 15%. The decision, according to school education minister Varsha Gaikwad, was on the lines of the Supreme Court’s (SC) order for the reduction of fees for schools in Rajasthan.

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Earlier this week, the Apex court had asked the Maharashtra government to consider its May judgement to collect 15% less school fees.

Parents’ bodies had been demanding some relief from the state government in terms of slashing school fees, given the Covid-19 pandemic situation. Schools in the state continue to remain closed amid the pandemic and the fear of a possible third Covid wave.

“The state cabinet has decided to cut school fees by 15%. The criteria adopted by the state are on the lines of the Supreme Court’s order for Rajasthan. The decision will apply to all boards. We will issue an order in the next two to three days. Parents will have to pay only 85% of the fees for this academic year. The decision will come as a relief to parents and even students. The SC had also asked the state government to consider a cut in fees, therefore, today we have made this decision,” said Gaikwad.

Dispelling the doubts that school managements, anticipating a move by the government to cut fees, could have hiked the fees for this year, the minister said that many schools have not hiked fees considering the Covid-19 scenario.

Gaikwad also said that the state will take action against school management if they do not adhere to the truncated fee.

“Once the cabinet has taken a decision, we will share with the honourable Supreme Court. Even then if any school management does not adhere to it, then we will take action against them. The government order will cover various issues and intricacies to avoid any confusion among parents and school management,” the minister added.