BHOPAL: The issue of schools allegedly charging beyond tuition has surfaced again after schools have been completely reopened for class 1 to 12. Several parents said they have decided to complain against such schools.
When contacted, a senior official of the school education department said that the MP Board has categorically told the schools that they can’t charge beyond tuition fees. “There were clear instructions from the state government that schools won’t charge a fee beyond tuition fee. If this is happening then parents can file a complaint,” said the official.
However, parents said that in the name of the annual fee, schools are also charging additional fees under various heads. “This is not done. I have made it clear to the schools that they can’t charge fees beyond tuition fee. I will complain against the school,” said a parent requesting anonymity.
Another parent said that schools can’t change the rule on their own in the middle of the session. “Schools were categorically told that they can’t charge a single penny beyond the tuition fee. However, this is not happening. Several schools are charging beyond tuition fee in the name of the annual fee and other activities,” said another parent Vishal Kulshreshtha.
Parents alleged that schools are making several excuses for charging fees beyond tuition fees. “When I contacted my child’s school, they told me that school has faced several losses due to lockdown and in such a situation as a parent they should support them,” said another parent Ashish Soni.
He further said that even parents had also lost their jobs and suffered several losses. “In such a situation, schools also should come forward and help such parents. How many such parents have been given the support,” he asked.
Schools in Madhya Pradesh were reopened from July this year in different phases. As of now, all classes from 1 to 12 have been reopened.
