Hyderabad: The School Fee Regulation JAC will be meeting education minister Kadiam Srihari in the next few days to seek the government’s intervention for a uniform fee structure in private schools in Hyderabad. Representatives of all parties have agreed to accompany the JAC.
JAC convener Aravinda Jata said the “ball would be thrown in the government’s cou-rt”. “The Budget Session is underway and we are trying for an appointment with the minister,” she said, adding, “Strict measures are the need of the
hour. If the government keeps dilly-dallying, we will up the ante.”
Hyderabad School Parents Association member N. Ashish said the JAC had lined up a series of protests depending upon the reaction of the government. A big protest rally and a sticker campaign were one the cards, he said.
Hyderabad collector Rahul Bojja, speaking to this newspaper, emphasised on bringing out a policy to regulate school fee. Mr Bojja has sought details on the functioning of private schools. Asked about the notices served on 12 schools, Mr Bojja said he would look into each case.
“It is time that strict regulation is brought in so that private schools do not fix the admission fee as they like,” he told this newspaper, adding that he was hopeful of a solution by the time the new school year started.
The collector said that recommendations would be forwarded to the government to evolve a foolproof policy, which would ensure that excesses of private school managements were controlled.
BJP floor leader Dr K. Laxman has decided to raise the fee issue and action being taken on schools flouting norms in the ongoing Budget session of the Assembly.
Private schools hype education quality
Private school managements on Sunday, defended the high fees they charge from students.
YSRC MP Butta Renu-ka, who owns Meridian Institutions, said managements were roping in teachers with excellent track records for large paychecks and ensuring infrastructure like smart classrooms, sports and recreation facilities involving huge expenditure. “Do you think parents will be flocking to these schools if they do not live up to their expectations” she said.
The Glendale School management stated that they had furnished all records to the government inspection team, which was satisfied with the answers.
“Contrary to the perception in some quarters, schools are not profitable. The fees collected from students are going into the running of the school. Providing quality education is key and school managements go any length to ensure it, unmindful of the huge costs involved,” said a members on the management panel.
Most of the schools that received notices from the education department are under CBSE, which gives them the liberty to fix the fees depending on the facilities on offer.
