State Govt moves HC, says Schools opposing Fee cuts

On Monday, the Govt of Gujarat rushed to the High Court of Gujarat claiming that its 2 rounds of negotiations with the association of self-financed schools have failed as schools were not ready to reduce fees by 25 per cent for the period they remain physically closed. The Govt has sought HC directions over the issue. On July 31, the HC had quashed the State Govt’s resolution prohibiting private schools from collecting fees during the time the schools remain physically shut. The Court had ordered the Govt to come up with a fresh resolution after negotiating with the schools with an open mind & open heart.

While the Govt insisted on flat reduction in tuition fees, private schools appeared to consider fee reduction on a case-to-case basis depending on the financial condition of parents. The association of private schools, however, has conceded that the schools are ready to reduce fees from 10 per cent to 100 per cent, but on a case-to-case basis after evaluating the financial hardship being faced by parents due to Coronavirus pandemic. In cases in which financial condition of the parent is stable, the schools proposed no change in fee collection.

However, the State Govt has stated in its application before the High Court that the 2 rounds of negotiations – on Aug 17 & 20 - with ‘open mind & open heart’ have failed with the private schools being not ready to accept the State Govt’s proposal on both the occasions. The Govt has also complained that the private schools are not ready to waive off other fees. It has said that despite making strenuous efforts, the state government has not been able to persuade the association of private schools.

With a PIL filed by parents’ association, the HC had insisted the state government resolve the issue of collection of fees by private schools during the lockdown. 

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