Fee Regulation Act passed in Assembly

Fee Regulation Act passed in Assembly

Pune: Despite severe opposition from parents and activists in the State, the proposed amendment in the Maharashtra Educational Institutions (Fee Regulation) Act, 2011 was passed in the Legislative Assembly on Monday.
 
The parents’ associations that were hoping to discuss the issue with the education minister to make changes in the controversial clauses are disappointed.

Among its many clauses opposed by the parents for being in favour of school managements, the one that stated that the parents will be able to complain against the school only if at least 25 per cent of them come together, irked the parents the most.

As Sakal Times reported earlier, the clause states that action will be taken against schools in cases of arbitrary fee hikes only if 25 per cent of the parents associated with the school come together to complain against it. 

The activists and parents association found this clause unreasonable as it is difficult to get so many parents together to complain against the school, as most of the parents are afraid that it will reflect poorly on their children’s education, and further, there are many who are not aware of their rights.

Another provision in the amendment states that if 75 per cent of the parents are ready to or pay the hiked fee, then the raise becomes legal, and the rest 25 per cent need to pay it as well. 

The amendment has also done away with the provision that makes the school management pay a fine if found guilty of arbitrary fee hike. Associations were concerned that this might give a licence to schools to loot parents.

“It is a sad day for the parents across the State. After our meeting with the Education Minister Vinod Tawde, he had promised to hold a meeting with us to take our suggestions into consideration. However, that never happened,” Adv Anubha Sahai of India Wide Parents Association said.

 “We will now be holding discussions with parent activists and associations across the State and might go to court. We are hoping that in case there is a change in government soon, we could then push for another amendment,” she further added.

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