The Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad, in an interaction with the media, stated that the executive branch of the parent-teacher associations (PTAs) across the schools in the state can propose a decrease in the current fees given the ongoing scenario.
According to the Maharashtra Educational Institutions (Regulation of Fee) Act, 2011, proposals concerning fees have to be placed before the PTA executive committee for approval. Gaikwad also stated that the government has already released strict guidelines when it comes to hiking fees, further asking schools to permit guardians to make partial fees. However, she stated that the decision with respect to fee reduction should be taken by the individual PTA of every school. According to the PTA rules, the PTA executive branch has to authorize the fees every year. Therefore, if parents want the fees to be reduced they can propose such a move. The minister also said that action will be taken against schools that are still not complying with the department’s directives on not hiking fees.
Earlier, multiple teachers from schools in Mumbai said they were being called to work even as the standard operating procedures (SOPs) released by the department on Monday do not specifically mandate them to travel. In response to this, Gaikwad stated that a separate set of SOPs will be released for schools in red zones. These guidelines are likely to be released soon, as per sources. Furthermore, a state-wide third-party audit is also to be conducted by the education department to understand whether online learning is proving to be beneficial or not for the students.
Schools in Maharashtra had already scheduled online classes that are to be conducted by the teachers. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had given a nod to the SOP submitted by the education department which proposed online learning. Along with this, schools are also said to reopen in July in the COVID-19 free areas.
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