January 12, 2021
TED NewsDesk, Orissa: The Orissa High Court gave its decision on the issue of reduction of fees of private schools on Monday. The High Court directed the state government to look into the matter and form a conclusion as per the MoUs that the Orissa government signed with the private schools.
The division bench comprised of Chief Justice S. Muralidhar and Justice BR Sarangi. The HC mediated three individual writ petitions in the issue and conveyed that the Orissa government can order private schools to cut down the fee amount as per its wish.
The Sai International School Parents Forum and Odisha Abhibhabak Mahasangha filed the petition previously asking the private institutions to reduce the fees. The petitioners requested the state government to release mandatory notices to private aided and unaided schools to stop them from demanding tuition fees for virtual classes. They also urged the government not to increase fees for the 2020-21 session.
“Given the limited scope of interference in the matters of this nature, the Court is not persuaded to further issue directions in the matter in light of the MoU arrived at between 14 educational institutions in Odisha on the question of fee waiver during the period of the Covid-19 pandemic,” the order said referring to the agreement on fee waiver reached upon by 14 schools.
Almost 14 private schools signed an MoU with the state government regarding fee waivers, over the last few months. As per the MoU,
| Amount to be Waived (in %) | Annual Fees (₹ per annum) |
| 26 | 1 lakh |
| 25 | 72,001 – 1 lakh |
| 20 | 48,001 – 72,000 |
| 15 | 24,001 – 48,000 |
| 12 | 12,001 – 24,000 |
| 7.5 | 6,001 – 12,000 |
| 0 | Up to 6000 |
The Court also said that the institutions should ensure to use the amount of fee for improving the infrastructure and education of that institution. Besides, it also asked the schools to provide the necessary facilities for the welfare of students.
Sources: Hindustan Times