Parents demand lock-in period for fee hikes in private and corporate schools

Insist that the managements must provide a clear justification if they propose a fee hike of more than 10 per cent

Hyderabad: A group of concerned parents called for a lock-in period for fee hikes in private and corporate schools and demanded that tuition fee remain the same for a minimum of three years, putting an end to the year-on-year fee hike.

Around 30 parents participated in a meeting convened by Telangana Education Commission Chairperson Akunuri Murali here on Friday, also demanding the constitution of a statutory commission to regulate fee structure in schools.

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Stating that private schools were enhancing the tuition fee by 10 to 15 per cent and some corporate schools by 25 to 30 per cent every year, parents insisted that the managements must provide a clear justification if they propose a fee hike of more than 10 per cent. They also wanted uniformity in the fee structure.

In addition, parents stressed the need for setting up a grievance redressal cell for them to air their grievances with regard to private schools. They also wanted the government to curb exorbitant bus fees and business activity of the schools, which have been selling books, uniforms, stationery and among other things at higher prices.

The parents brought up the issue of schools sending their wards out of the classroom if there was a delay in fee payment and raised the matter of schools lacking playgrounds and no physical activity for their wards.