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Is the Fee Decision really a Boon?

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<b>By Anu Bajaj, Member, Private School Union</b>The UP Government ordering all schools throughout Uttar Pradesh to not raise their fees for this academic session owing to the lockdown has come as a respite for all the parents. The decision was put forth by the officials of the Secondary Education Department. The decision has been taken viewing the interests of the parents who were facing fiscal problems as unfavorably impacted by the Covid-19 leading them to encounter problems like cut down in salaries and irregular pays. It is naturally difficult to cater to all needs of the family at this time. The UP government considering this has decided for the schools to not hike their fees and we vehemently support this decision of theirs.

Speaking of schools, we are all aware that it is probably the biggest non-profit organization and they are run for social service so as to serve the masses. Majority of the schools in India have children who belong to humble backgrounds or are from middle class families. The so called ‘Big Schools’, who are assumed to have higher amount of fees and expectantly more students and that, these institutions earn a lot of profit, their number is comparatively low in the country. We have students who belong to very humble backgrounds and children whose parents are farmers and laborers, they have not been able to deposit their fees and it is pending for the last six months to a year now.

Majority of these unwilling people are those who belong to the middle class and the lower- middle class who are disagreeing with any sort of external help


Classes for the students of 10th and 12th had been suspended before the lockdown itself and we have report cards of students, who were to receive it after the clearance of their due fees, but it still remains unpaid and the report cards still are unaccounted for. The fees still remain pending with the staffs that have to be paid their salaries and other expenses of the school which are being carried out without the clearance of these pending fees by the students with no hope of receiving any further deposit in the near future. After the announcement of the lockdown, parents have shoved this issue comfortably under the carpet.Countering situations like these leaves us with the question- ‘How to Pay the Teachers?’

We are sturdily in favor of the government’s decision but we can also not overlook this problem of unpaid staffs. The government is undoubtedly working hard and doing every bit to help people feed and in other ways also but there are still families who turn down this help as it is too demeaning for them and is against their ethical standards. Majority of these unwilling people are those who belong to the middle class and the lower- middle class who are disagreeing with any sort of external help. It is considerably demeaning for them and is against their dignity. With such emotions and a feeling of unshakable morale attached to them families are sleeping hungry regardless. We get calls from exasperated teachers who want nothing but just demand for their salary even if it means giving them just a fraction of it.

This social catastrophe that we are facing in the guise of coronavirus demands all of us to stand united forgetting our difference in opinions, loyalty towards different political parties or any sect and help each one out in all ways that justifies humanism. Speaking of the decision of regarding school fees, we welcome the decision with open hands provided our difficulty of finances are also considered. We hope we are able to work up a solution and some financial help so there is no hindrance in smooth functioning of the school administration.