Resolve School Fee Structure Issue, NCPCR To Odisha Govt

Bhubaneswar: Following a number of complaints regarding fee hike in schools, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has asked Odisha government to take necessary steps to regulate the fee structure of private schools in the state.

“Since regulating school fee is a state-specific subject, you are requested to examine the matter and take necessary action as per the State Act and regulatory norms to dispose of the matter at your end,” the Commission wrote.

The Commission swung into action after Odisha Abhibhabak Mahasangha requested it to intervene in the matter. Members of the Mahasangha pointed out that though the Fee Regulatory Committee (FRC) of the School and Mass Education Department had recommended a revised fee structure for private schools of the state in March 2018, it is yet to be implemented.

They also alleged that many private schools in the state had hiked their fee from 25 per cent to 250 per cent.

The FRC has proposed Rs 15,000 annual fee for UKG admission, Rs 17,000 for admission into Classes I to V, Rs 20,000 for Classes VI to VIII, Rs 22,000 for Classes IX and X and Rs 25,000 for Classes XI and XII.

The revised structure has received the nod of the SME Department but it is pending with the state government as many schools have opposed it stating that the structure is too low. The School and Mass Education Department officials had earlier stated that the department has planned to implement the revised fee structure for private schools from the academic session 2020-21.