EXORBITANT COLLECTION AS ANNUAL FEES IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS

EXORBITANT COLLECTION AS ANNUAL FEES IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS

13-APRIL-ENG 8

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA---------------------------In private schools falling under the Piro subdivision, parents of students are being made to pay hefty sums under the guise of "annual fees." This revelation came to light recently during inspections of various schools conducted by the Block Education Officer (BEO) of Piro, when students themselves disclosed the details. Furthermore, the inspections revealed that school managements are arbitrarily hiking monthly tuition fees every year. In some instances, school managements either sell textbooks and school uniforms directly on the school premises or compel parents to purchase textbooks, uniforms, shoes, ties, belts, and other items exclusively from designated shops. An inspection of Pushpa High School, located at the Piro subdivision headquarters, revealed that the school management has increased monthly tuition fees by 8 to 10 percent this year, whereas regulations stipulate that such increases should not exceed 7 percent. Students at this school disclosed that they are forced to purchase their uniforms from a specific designated shop. Similarly, an inspection of Maa Gayatri Public School in Hasanbazar revealed that books from private publishers and school uniforms are being sold directly within the school premises. Most shockingly, the inspection revealed that the school does not employ a single trained teacher. An inspection of Arun International School in Keshwan brought to light issues regarding the collection of annual fees, the sale of books and uniforms on school premises, and the practice of assigning teaching duties to untrained teachers. Meanwhile, an inspection of G.D. Anil DAV Public School in Piro exposed instances of collecting between ₹6,000 and ₹8,000 in the name of annual fees, selling books within the school itself, and arbitrarily increasing monthly tuition fees. In light of these findings, the Block Education Officer (BEO) has submitted a report to the Sub-Divisional Officer, recommending that necessary action be taken. Responding to these allegations, Shani Kumar, the Principal of G.D. Anil DAV Public School, Piro, presented his school's stance, stating that the annual fee covers expenses such as electricity, support staff wages, furniture maintenance, and one month's tuition fee—costs which, he argued, the school is compelled to recover.