We will not pay hiked school fees, say parents

Several parents, activists and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have decided that they will not pay hiked school fees.

Several parents, activists and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have decided that they will not pay hiked school fees.

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The decision was taken at a meeting organised by the NGO Forum For Fairness in Education on Wednesday and attended by parents and activists as also retired judges.

The high court last week set aside the government resolutions capping fee hikes in private, unaided schools and said the government would have to come up with an act to regulate the fee structures.

Fee hike has been an issue for the last two years with parents and the forum moving court previously.

Stake holders met on Wednesday to decide on a plan of action after the high court decision.

"We will protest peacefully by refusing to pay the fees if schools go ahead and hike fees," said Jayant Jain, president of the Forum.

"If schools take action such as expelling our children we will approach the government on the basis of the Right To Education Act that says no student can be expelled before he or she completes Class 8."

Several parents, some of who had come from Nanded and Pune districts, also spoke at Wednesday's meeting.

"We must come together as parents to fight against the corruption and to gain freedom from it," said Jitendra Tiwari, vice-chairman of the PTA at DAV School.