Bhubaneswar: The State unit of Odisha Congress on Tuesday sought the immediate intervention of School and Mass Education Minister Samir Dash while seeking his action against law-offending private schools that are not waiving off school fees despite the Orissa High Court order.
Hundreds of student Congress workers launched a protest and also gheraoed the residence of the minister in Bhubaneswar. The protesting party workers have alleged that many erring private schools are not complying with the Orissa High Court order and the guidelines issued by the State government.
On January 19, Odisha government had released a notification stating that all the aided and unaided private institutions will reduce school fees in view of the Covid-19 pandemic situation and as demanded by parents’ bodies across the State.
The government’s move came just days after High Court ruled that the recommendations on reduction of school fees made by a court-ordered high-level committee.
The HC had formed the panel after the State government clarified that it would not interfere in the administrative decisions of private schools as they beyond its control.
The HC had ruled that the panel’s decision would be final and anyone having objections against the suggestions by the panel can file a writ petition on the matter.
Schools have been asked to consider the fee waiver under seven slabs
- 26 per cent waiver for annual fees above Rs 1 lakh per annum
- 25 per cent for fee range Rs 72,001 - Rs 1 lakh per annum
- 20 per cent for fees from Rs 48,001 to Rs 72,000
- 15 per cent for school fees from Rs 24,001 to Rs 48,000
- 12 per cent for school fees from Rs 12,001 to Rs 24,000
- 7.5 per cent for school fees from Rs 6,001 to Rs 12,000 per annum.