Parents can contact District Education Officer if schools demand fees during the lockdown

Amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Maharashtra Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad has come to the parents' rescue. Gaikwad has warned the schools demanding fees during the lockdown and has asked the parents from across the state to complain to the district education officers if schools insist on paying fees during the lockdown period.

Announcing the same, state education minister Varsha Gaikwad took to Twitter, on Friday afternoon,

In the backdrop of Corona, the government decision has been issued regarding the demand of school fees from students and parents for schools in our state. If you have a complaint about this, please contact your District Education Officer (Primary / Secondary) office. pic.twitter.com/1D8LGr4yNa

— Varsha Gaikwad (@VarshaEGaikwad) April 17, 2020

“The government has already appealed schools to not ask for fees considering the current situation. However, we are getting several messages from parents across the state alleging that schools are still asking for fees to be paid. We urge such parents to write to the education officer in their district so that action can be taken against such schools,” Gaikwad said in a video message.

Earlier on March 30, the education board had issued a circular asking the schools, irrespective of boards, to refrain from demanding fees till the lockdown is lifted and things are back to normal. However, despite the directive, many parents complained that the schools had asked them to pay fees before April 30.

Parents have accused that the schools are using the strategy of online classes to mint money stating that they have to pay to teachers who are conducting online classes. Talking to Hindustan Times, a parent complained that a South Mumbai school had even asked them to pay bus fees. Keeping this in consideration, the parent then argued and questioned stating that if the schools were closed and then why would one have to pay transportation charges.

Meanwhile, the education department had announced the end of the academic year for schools. Writing a letter to the education commissioner on Tuesday, the government directed the schools to conclude their academic year 2019/20 and declare summer vacations for its students.

The move by the state government comes as a relief for the schools and the students who were anxious as there was a lot of uncertainty about when the schools would reopen.