Odisha Parents’ Federation Defers Hunger Strike As Govt Ready To Discuss School Fee Fixation, Other Demands

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Parents’ Federation, which had threatened to launch a hunger strike in front of the School and Mass Education Minister’s residence in Bhubaneswar, has deferred its plan following the government’s proposal for talks on its 7-point charter of demands, including fee fixation and admission quota.

In a letter to School and Mass Education Minister Sudam Marndi, Federation chairman Basudev Bhatt said the Federation decided to postpone the proposed hunger strike on Monday as the government wants to hold discussion with its leaders on September 7 and 8 over the demands.

The Federation, also known as Odisha Abhibhavak Mahasangh (OAM) will take a final call on September 8, after the meeting with the Minister, he said.

He said the Minister has agreed to take up for discussion the demands of the Federation, including those pertaining to fixation of fee structure for private schools as per the facilities available.

The OAM has been demanding fixation of fee structure for schools as per the facilities they provide to check excess fee collection in those schools that lack adequate infrastructure.

This apart, matters related to use of NCERT books in private schools, 25 per cent seat reservation under RTE, extension of this reservation to secondary and higher secondary level (up to Class XII) will also be discussed during the meeting.

The Federation wants proper implementation of the 25% admission quota for the economically-weaker sections as per the RTE Act.