Setting up of FRC prior to reopening of schools resented

Visakhapatnam: The Right to Education Forum while appreciating the state government for announcing the setting up of Fee Regulatory Committee (FRC) after a long gap of seven years to check and regulate indiscriminate fee collection by private school managements across the state, resented for the late formation of the committee.

State convener of RTE Forum Narava Prakasa Rao reacting to the government’s announcement, in a letter to the Secretary of School Education Adityanath Das said that the formation of the FRC is mandatory as per the Constitution with a specific objective of protecting the right of every child to get compulsory education. He explained that the formation of FRC just before re-opening of schools does not serve any purpose as already many private schools have collected huge amounts towards donations, fee, uniforms, books and bags.

“The late formation shows the seriousness and sincerity of the government towards protection of child rights and the neighbouring states like Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Union Territory New Delhi have already formed the committees in the March”, he added.

He felt that the newly formed committee may take another four to five months to submit its report and by that time, half of the academic calendar will be over and non-fulfillment of RTE Act will amounts to violation of protection of child rights.