Odisha School Fee Matter: How Much Fees Can Be Waived, HC asks Govt

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court on Monday sought clarifications from the State government over the issue of waiver of fees in schools in view of the COVID-19 pandemic situation.

While hearing a petition, the Court asked the Odisha government to clarify on how much the fees of students in schools can be waived in the State.

The Court has also directed the State government to submit an affidavit in the connection with the issue at the earliest. The matter will next come up for hearing in the High Court on December 2.

It is pertinent to mention here that the State government on November 10 had left it for the Orissa High Court to deliberate on the matter and take a final call on the school fee waiver issue.

This came after Odisha government submitted its reply in connection with a petition seeking waiver of fees in private schools in the state on the directions of the High Court.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Odisha Abibhabak Mahasangha and other individuals had moved the Orissa High Court seeking an exemption of fees by private schools as the state government had declared COVID-19 pandemic as a ‘disaster.’

The Confederation of Odisha Public Schools had also moved an intervention application in the Orissa High Court in connection with a PIL seeking exemption of tuition fees by private schools during the lockdown, reports said.