Private schools in Maharashtra to cut fee by 15%

Parents of school-going children have been demanding a reduction in fees as classes were happening online and many of them are facing financial issues due to COVID-19.

Maharashtra Cabinet has approved a 15 percent reduction in school fees charged by private schools in the state for the academic year 2021-22. The decision has been taken in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, to provide relief to parents.

Varsha Gaikwad, state education minister making the announcement said: “The cabinet has decided to cut 15% school fees in the wake of the pandemic. My department was following this up consistently. I thank my Cabinet colleagues for their support. A detailed order with modalities will be issued soon.”

Parents' bodies have been demanding fee cut from private schools and also held protests across various cities to press for the demand.

India Wide Parents Association (IWPA), an association of parents, which has been leading from the front demanding school fee cut also met the state fee regulation committee on July 27, demanding amendments in fee regulation act.
Anubha Shrivastava Sahai, President of the association speaking to Shiksha said: “This is a welcome move as we have been pressing for it for almost two years now. Parents are going through a difficult time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are yet to see the circular and hopeful that schools will follow it soon.”
The Maharashtra government is likely to issue the circular in this regard in a day or two on 15 percent reduction in fees charged by private schools.

Many of the states like Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat have also issued circulars asking private schools to not increase the fee. In May this year, the Supreme Court issued a judgment in which it had ordered the private schools in Rajasthan to collect 15 percent reduced fees in 2020-21.