Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann directs schools not to increase fee
Mr. Mann also ordered that no private school will ask the parents to go to a specific shop to purchase uniforms and books. Schools will make their books and uniforms available at all shops in that area,
Chandigarh; In a major pro-people decision that could have to bring heave to the parents who are overburdened with an exorbitant fee of private schools managements, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has ordered private schools in the state not to increase admission fees for this academic year.
Chief Minister has stated that the order will come to force with immediate effect. Mr. Mann also ordered that no private school will ask the parents to go to a specific shop to purchase uniforms and books. Schools will make their books and uniforms available at all shops in that area, parents will be able to purchase from any shop of their choice, ordered.
It may be recalled that in January 2022, hundreds of parents of students studying in Gobindgarh Public School at Mandi Gobindgarh protested in front of the DC office here against the school management for withholding the results of their wards and threatening to strike off their names if they failed to deposit the fee.
They alleged that the school management was demanding an exorbitant fee by flouting the orders of the High Court and directions of the DC and District Education Officer (DEO). They held a meeting with the management committee, but the school is not ready to redress their grievances, the Tribune reported.
Despite the Court order, schools have insisted the parents pay the fee and threatened not to allow the students to write the exams if they fail to pay the fee within the stipulated time.
According to the Tribune report, Parents claim the school is flouting the HC orders in this regard. Even parents had submitted a memorandum to the DC, who directed the DEO (S) to look into the matter. The DEO (S) further directed the school management to charge only Rs 1,300 tuition fee from parents instead of Rs 3,000. They claimed that the management also approached the DC against the DEO’s order, but the DC office sent a mail to the school that only recommended fee should be charged. However, the school was still asking for Rs 3,000 fee for each student, stated in the Tribune report.
