Act against private schools demanding fees: IUML

Hyderabad: Though several private and government institutions are showing lenient attitude towards parents of students and putting off collection of tuition fees, some schools are unwilling to postpone their fee collection process amid the COVID-19 crisis being faced by the country. The IUML (Indian Union of Muslim League) on Wednesday urged the Minister for Education, P Sabitha Indra Reddy, to address the issue of non-cooperation of private schools.

In a letter addressed to the Minister, IUML general secretary (TS) Abdul Gani pointed out that in view of the pandemic that has swept the nation, the Reserve Bank of India has deferred EMIs, important exams have been postponed, and house owners have relaxed rent payments for tenants. However, it looks like the schools in the Telangana state are unwilling to postpone their fee collection process amid the COVID-19 crisis in the country. "In this hard situation nation is facing challenges from COVID pandemic parents are concerned and worried about paying the fees of their children as the school managements are sending messages to clear the outstanding," he noted.

The IUML leader wondered that when other states can order schools not to collect fees at least till the lockdown is over, why the Telangana government was not even looking into the matter seriously. "Schools should not press for payment of fees and should not impose a penalty on late payment. Those who can pay will pay, but there are several low and middle-income families who cannot pay the fees right now. They should be given some time," he felt. He demanded that the government must issue orders to private unaided recognised educational institutions, affiliated to State Board, CBSE, ICSE and other boards, for relaxation in school tuition fees, postponing their collection. They should not charge transport fee, maintenance fee, late penalty fee and other miscellaneous charges as schools were not functioning since the lockdown.