Schools, colleges insisting on full fee, parents protest

Hyderabad: PARENTS of school and college-going students are irked by educational institutions, which are insisting the former to pay fee, both for physical classes as well as virtual, immediately for the current academic year that ends in April.

After a 10-month break, the Telangana government has permitted educational institutions in the State to reopen from February 1, 2021, for classes IX and X. Following the guidelines laid out by the Centre, the State government also sent clear notifications to schools to collect only tuition fee.

However, the scenario seems to be quite different, as parents have started receiving reminder messages and calls from the latter to immediately pay the fee for X standard and intermediate students, failing which their wards will neither be allowed to attend classes nor allotted hall tickets for board exams.

Parents with whom Bizz Buzz spoke to, explain that three among five of them have been subjected to pressure by schools to pay fee. "We had salary deductions during the lockdown period. Furthermore, we had to purchase high-end smartphones or tablets for virtual classes. And now, schools putting pressure to pay full fee is not fair," says Swapna, whose child is studying in the IX standard. Another parent, Sirisha, echoed similar views. According to her, despite facing a worst financial situation, courtesy the pandemic, she has to pay full fee as her child is set to appear for board exams. "I have no other option left than to pay as the school made it clear that it would not issue hall ticket unless the payment, including transportation fee, is made," she laments.

One private teacher, who wished not to be named, however, has a different version to share. "We have meager strength for taking physical classes. Each of the faculty is investing more time as the parents were given the option to choose between virtual and physical classes. While everybody is talking about problems pertaining to parents, issues related to teachers were seldom talked about," she says. "We are being paid very little. Also, we have noticed that children have become more undisciplined, and controlling them now seems to be a Herculean task."

Upendra Eragani, Principal of Spoorthy Degree College, Sangareddy, says that only 30 per cent of students pay the actual fee, while 70 per cent depend on fee reimbursement. "So, if we don't collect this 30 per cent, we have to close colleges. Now that the parents are requesting, we are considering reducing the fee based on the parents' profession and income," he adds.

According to educational psychologist, John Hemanth Kumar, parents who recently came to him said that they wish to pay only tuition fee as directed by the government. "Parents have realised the advantages of virtual classes without the support of school system. And, the national open school is offering exams and certificates online, which is making parents hesitant to pay huge fee for physical classes," he explains. "While the parents' claims are fair enough, I feel that they should pay the fee. But how much is the question as educational institutions never show the data of how much the government is charging."

Despite the ongoing debate between the parents and educational institutions on fee payment, Kumar says both the parties need to arrive at a decision on streamlining the fee structure. "In my opinion, parents must take a stand for themselves and complain to the authorities concerned to obtain a better solution. If parents are continuously getting messages from the school and college managements, they can always lodge a complaint," he adds.