Parents to have a say in fee hike from 2018

Mumbai: From the next academic year, parents in all state-run schools will get a special provision which will allow them to have a say over the controversial fee hike issue.

The Divisional Fee Regulation Committee (DFRC) that is run by the state government made the move on Wednesday. Last year, many disgruntled parents complained of the arbitrary fee hikes in private international schools. “After studying this issue for seven months with experts from the education field and conducting meeting with the parents, activists, we have added this clause in the DFRC,” said state education minister Vinod Tawde.  

DRFC officials added that the parents and teachers association (PTA) would also have two parents instead of one.

“Every class will have two parents as representative and all the PTA meetings will be recorded to avoid confusion. The footage will be used as evidence,” Mr Tawde said.

According to DRFC rules, a school can increase fee by 15 per cent every two years. This rule will be continued. “If the school wants to increase fee above 15 per cent to doing something extraordinary for the students and if the PTA is okay with it, the government is okay too,” the official said. “However, if the PTA objects, the parents can single-handedly approach us. We are authorised to take immediate action against the school,” the official said.

Parents on the other side are uncertain about the new clause. “Last year too, there were promises by the government, activists and local councillors but what happened? We had to eventually go as per what the school order,” said a parent.

Aparna Rajesh, another parent said that it is a good move.