October 29, 2020
TED NewsDesk, Rajasthan: The education department of Rajasthan directed the private schools to reduce the fees by 30% for Central Board of Secondary Education students and by 40% for state board students. The students will have to deposit only the tuition fees with their schools reopening. The monthly and quarterly options to pay the fees are open for parents.
CBSE, in its previous notice, narrowed the syllabus for classes 9-12th by 30% while Rajasthan Board truncated 40% of its syllabus given COVID-19 crisis and the closure of educational institutions across the country. Following the reduction in the syllabus, the education department on Wednesday ordered to cut tuition fees of CBSE affiliated private schools by 30% and for Rajasthan Board based schools by 40%.
However, this rule is applicable only for 9-12th graders. The government is yet to issue an order regarding the resumption of physical schooling for junior classes; therefore, the decision to deduct fees are pending accordingly.
While the Centre laid a nationwide lockdown amid Coronavirus, the state established a board to discuss and fix the number of fees for the students to pay. The committee decided the same and forwarded the report to the government.
Progressive Association School of Rajasthan raised its objection calling the decision as biased. It further notified that the implementation of the decision might drive them to knock the door of Supreme Court. Besides, the authorities of the school also raised their concern regarding the salaries of the staffers, which will be affected if they deduct fees. Calling the decision as “unilateral”, it urged the state to consider the teachers and their effort to educate students.
Fees in Detail:
- The previous session will form the basis of fees.
- The schools will not introduce new uniforms for the academic session 2020-21.
- Parents will have to mention the category of receipt of fees (either tuition or capacity developing) in the deduction.
- The fees will not include extra charges like labs, library, sports etc.
- The transportation fee will not exceed that of the previous session. A child using a duct will be able to receive that fee. The transportation fee will depend on the number of working days after reopening of these schools.
- The institution will facilitate the parents with the option to deposit the due amount from the initial session (2019-20) in monthly instalments.
- Students will get a chance to appear for their boards even if they do not join digital classes.
- Non-payment of fees will not affect TC.
- Private schools will be required to pay fees stipulated to pay salaries to personnel and teachers. There will be no layoffs due to Covid.
The government permitted the institutions to charge a minimum of 60% fees during online education. This Capacity Building Fee is equal to 60% of the prescribed fee for a class. It is payable only by those students who seek online courses.
The government notified the schools to complete the syllabus for the students who attend online classes and for those who do not attend classes. The decision may bring great relief to the parents across Rajasthan.
Sources: Bhaskar