According to sources, Maharashtra School Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad has recently ordered an inquiry into the schools that arbitrarily solicited fees during school closure or expelled students amidst the outbreak of the coronavirus.
For the last few months, parents have been protesting for the reduction of school fees on account of financial constraints and economic loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, on February 17, around 300 parents of the students studying in private unaided schools of Maharashtra staged a protest at Azad Maidan over fees charged during the pandemic.
With regards to fees in private schools, the government has prepared the Maharashtra Educational Institutions (Fees Regulation) Act-2011 and the Maharashtra Educational Institutions (Fees Regulation) Act-2016. However, difficulties have been reported at the administrative level in enforcing the rules.
Meanwhile, the government have been constantly receiving complaints from parents about school fees. Therefore, a committee is being set up under the chairmanship of the Joint Secretary School to suggest amendments in this Act. As per reports, the committee consists of Director Balbharati, Joint Secretary Law (School Education), Joint Director Primary, Education Officer Secondary, Sub-Inspector of Education, Mumbai, Senior Auditor, Solapur, Office of the Superintendent of Education Commissioner.
Meanwhile, schools in other parts of the state reopened for Classes 9 to 12, however, those in Mumbai are still not allowed to reopen due to the pending approval from Mumbai’s civic body, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Furthermore, schools under consulates and embassies in Mumbai have been permitted to reopen from January 18, while other schools remain shut until further notice.
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