HYDERABAD: Even as parents are demanding that the state regulate the entire fee component, it is likely that the government will only bring in regulations to address the fee hike component.
Sources from the education department said that even if the state government wants to regulate the entire fee component, it won’t be possible as schools have autonomy in fixing the fee, based on the infrastructure and facilities being provided.
“It’s not like an engineering college where each college will have the same kind of facilities. A school provides both curricular and co-curricular activities and they have the autonomy to fix the fee based on what they are providing,” said an official, adding that only the fee hike component will be regulated by state.
Both managements and officials said that some of the recommendations of Professor Tirupathi Rao Committee report, which was submitted in December 2017, will be implemented in all likelihood. Annual fee hike of up to 10%, seeking permission from the committee if a school wants to hike more than 10% and having only 15% surplus amount are some of the recommendations which might be considered by the government, they added.
“About 80% of recommendations made by Tirupathi Rao committee are set to be implemented,” said Y Shekhar Rao, president, Telangana Recognised School Managements Association.
Members of the Independent School Managements Association (ISMA), however, said that it did not make any sense to again audit the financials of the schools as a similar exercise was undertaken by Tirupathi Rao committee before.
“We are open to audit, but it is unnecessary. The Tirupathi Rao committee has covered all aspects. He has even recommended penalties for profiteering. We are hoping his recommendations will be considered,” said K Praveen Raju, president, ISMA.
Parents, on the other hand, said that not regulating the entire fee component amounts to legalising exorbitant fees charged by the schools. “Schools have increased fee by 20%-30% every year in last few years. It doesn’t make any sense to regulate only fee hike component without addressing the main issue, “ said K Venkat Sainath, joint secretary, Hyderabad Schools Parents Association, and demanded that Tirupathi Rao committee report be placed in the public domain.
