Have no control over fee structure policy of private schools: Odisha Govt to HC

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Government today submitted an affidavit in the Orissa High Court (HC) stating it has no control over the fee structure policy of private schools.

The Government’s response came after the High Court on November 23 had directed the Government to submit its opinion by filing an affidavit on the amount as has been relaxed by Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan counterparts.

The court will hear the matter next on December 10.

Earlier, a joint committee of the State School and Mass Education Department officials and parents had submitted a report in the High Court recommending reduction of school fee in seven different slabs.

The panel had recommended reduction of 7.5% fee in schools charging between Rs 6.000 and Rs 12,000 per year. It also recommended fee cut upto 15% and 20% in private schools charging Rs 24,000-Rs 48,000 and Rs 48,000-Rs 72,000 per annum, respectively.

The committee had recommended 25% fee cut for schools charging between Rs 72,000 and Rs 100,000 and 26% for schools charging more than Rs 1 lakh per year. However, the panel had made no recommendation for fee cut in schools charging upto Rs 6,000 per year.