Private School Fee Waiver: HC Seeks Reply From Odisha Government

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court has directed the state government to furnish a reply on the steps it has taken on the waiver of school fees in private schools.

A division bench of the court, comprising Justice BR Sarangi and Justice SC Panigrahi, issued the directive in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Sambalpur lawyer Mohammad Mushtaq Ansari.

The petitioner had contended that while the schools in Odisha have remained closed for more than a month due to the outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), it cannot be said whether the second phase lockdown will be lifted on May 3 considering the rise in the number of positive cases. “Sadly, under such conditions, the private schools are demanding the fee.

“While the closure of government and private agencies have adversely hit employees who are yet to get their salary, the burden of school fee has put them in dire straits,” the petitioner said.

He further said that while the Centre and the state government have requested the private school authorities to reduce the school fee, no action has been taken in this regard till date.