GOVERNMENT SHOULD CURB ANNUAL RE-ADMISSION FEES IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS: BHAI DINESH

GOVERNMENT SHOULD CURB ANNUAL RE-ADMISSION FEES IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS: BHAI DINESH

13-DEC-ENG 17

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA----------------------------Education is the cornerstone of any society, and its purpose is to disseminate knowledge, develop personality, and build the future generation. In India, along with government schools, private schools have also played a significant role in the field of education. However, with the increasing number of private schools in recent years, some trends have emerged that have become a matter of concern for parents. The most prominent issue among these is the financial exploitation of parents by private schools in the name of various fees, on which RJD leader and former MLA of Jagdishpur, Bhojpur, Bhai Dinesh, has drawn the attention of the Honorable Chief Minister of Bihar. He has demanded an immediate stop to this serious problem.

Bhai Dinesh said that thousands of private schools have opened in Jagdishpur, Bhojpur, and throughout Bihar, which are financially exploiting parents every year in the name of 're-admission,' which is completely wrong. This issue is not limited to just one fee, but also includes several other arbitrary practices that are putting a heavy burden on parents' pockets and making education an expensive affair.

Education is the foundation of any civilized society and should not be allowed to become merely a means of business. The arbitrary practices of private schools and the financial exploitation of parents not only affect families but also undermine the very purpose of education. It is time for the government, parents, and society to come together to address this challenge and ensure that education is accessible, equitable, and of high quality for all, and not a means of exploitation. Bihar needs an education system that is inclusive, provides equal opportunities to every child, and builds their bright future, rather than imposing unnecessary financial burdens on parents.

This is one of the biggest and most irrational practices. When a child is admitted to a school in the first grade or nursery, he or she becomes a registered student of that school. In such a situation, collecting money from their parents every year in the name of 're-admission' is completely unjustified. This fee is usually equal to or close to the new admission fee, meaning that parents are essentially having to "re-admit" their child every year. This is a clear contradiction and merely a way to generate additional revenue. This practice violates the right to education and places unnecessary financial pressure on parents.

In addition to re-admission fees, private school managements also levy various other fees such as annual fees, development fees, computer fees, sports fees, event fees, examination fees, etc. The transparency of these fees is often questionable, and parents are frequently left unaware of the purpose for which these fees are being charged. Often, these fees are increased without any clear justification, forcing parents to spend a significant portion of their income on education.

BhaiDinesh also emphasized that private schools change their curriculum and textbooks every year. Along with this, parents are pressured to buy books, bags, and uniforms only from shops run by the school management or from specific designated shops. This practice appears to be a well-planned business strategy, involving collusion between school management and book/uniform vendors. This prevents parents from buying books and uniforms of their choice or those available at cheaper prices in the market, forcing them to pay inflated prices. The lack of a standardized curriculum or dress code also forces parents to incur heavy expenses every year. This not only imposes a financial burden but also eliminates competition.

According to Bhai Dinesh, the fact that thousands of schools in the state are operating with thousands of different admission fees, uniforms, and curricula clearly demonstrates that the government either has no control over private schools or simply does not care about the common man. This is a serious accusation, but there appears to be some truth to it. The lack of a strong regulatory mechanism to curb arbitrary practices in a crucial sector like education is clearly evident. If the government does not intervene, private schools will continue to operate on their own terms, and parents will continue to be exploited. This economic exploitation is making education a luxury for middle and lower-middle-class families. Many parents have to take out loans or cut back on other essential household expenses to provide their children with a good education. This situation fuels educational inequality, where economically disadvantaged children are deprived of quality education. Stress and frustration among parents are increasing, as they find themselves victims of this system and feel helpless. This ultimately creates division and discontent in society.

Bhai Dinesh said that the Honorable Chief Minister should immediately address this serious issue. The government should impose a complete ban on private schools charging ‘re-admission’ fees. A clear and strict policy should be formulated to bring complete transparency in fee determination and other charges. This policy should include provisions for controlling fee increases, clear classification of fees, and justification for each charge. A uniform curriculum and code should be developed for books and uniforms, and schools should be prevented from pressuring parents to purchase from specific shops. Brother Dinesh announced that a protest demonstration would be held on this issue very soon. He has made an appeal. Brother Dinesh has requested the parents to contribute to this fight.