Parents Seek Government Help Against Private Schools Forcible Fee Collection
Tirupati: Parents Association of Andhra Pradesh (PAAP) has raised concerns over alleged forced collection of fees by certain educational institutions, despite the government's deadline for the fee submission under Jagananna Vidya Deevena being November 24.
In letters addressed to the state education minister and Andhra Pradesh High Education Regulatory and Monitoring Commission chairman, PAAP has called upon the government to intervene and ensure justice to students.
The parents’ association pointed out that the government has given a deadline until November 24 for parents to submit details of their joint bank account to respective secretariats to avail benefits of the Jagananna Vidya Deevena scheme.
However, certain educational institutions are forcing parents to pay fees immediately, disregarding the November 24 deadline. Specifically, PAAP mentioned names of Gitanjali and Sri Venkateswara institutes in Nellore district in this regard. The association said these institutions have denied any association with Jagananna Vidya Deevena scheme and are insisting on immediate payment of fee.
PAAP president Sikharam Narahari said though they have lodged numerous complaints with education officials, the latter have not taken any action. As a result, SC, ST, BC, EBC and economically backward students are being pressured to pay fees immediately.
Narahari also pointed out that while secretariat staff have given parents the deadline of November 20 to submit their joint account details, bank authorities are saying that they cannot complete the process before November 20. He requested the government to extend the deadline for submitting details accordingly.
