School fee to be reduced as per panel’s recommendation: Odisha HC

Cuttack: In a significant development in connection with the petition seeking school fee reduction, the Orissa High Court today said the fees of private schools in the state will be reduced as per the recommendations of the high-level committee formed by the court for the purpose.

The panel was constituted by the High Court after the State Government clarified before the court that it has no mechanism for fixation of fee for unaided private schools.

The court, however, said anyone objecting the fee slab fixed by the committee can challenge the same through a writ petition.

PILs were filed by All India Parents’ Association, Odisha Abhibhabak Mahasangh, lawyer Mohammed Mustaq, and Prahallad Rout of Bhubaneswar seeking waiver of fees for students of private schools in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.