Scrap fee hike or face action, Maharashtra education department tells schools

After being flooded with complaints from parents about schools imposing fee hikes during the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, the education department has asked its officers

After being flooded with complaints from parents about schools imposing fee hikes during the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, the education department has asked its officers to issue a final warning to such educational institutions before they are served notices next week.

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Bhaskarrao Babar, assistant director, Mumbai region, said that private schools are being asked to scrap their fee hike immediately or face action. “Our officers are calling schools about which were have received complaints. They are being asked to adhere to the government norms and scrap their announced fee hike. If we do not get a satisfactory response, they will be issued notices starting Monday,” said Babar.

As per a government resolution (GR) released in the first week of May, schools cannot hike fees for the academic year 2020-21 and have to allow parents to pay fees in installments. On May 29, the state education department released a list of nodal officers who would hear complaints related to fee hikes. “The officers are calling respective schools because, with the current situation, everyone is working from home. Parents are asked not to pay hiked fees. If schools don’t fall in line, action will be taken,” said Babar.