HC seeks Odisha Govt’s stand over school fee reduction recommendation

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court today sought clarification from the State Government over the recommendation of school fee reduction in private schools.

Hearing an intervention petition filed by some private schools opposing Government’s recommendation on reduction of school fee during COVID-19 pandemic, the court today rejected the petition and directed the State Government to make its stand clear within seven days.

The next hearing will take place after the Government submits its reply.

Earlier, a joint committee of the State School & 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 for schools charging more than 1 lakh per year, the authorities recommended 26% cut in school fee. The

However, the committee made no recommendation for fee cut in schools charging upto Rs 6,000 per year.