Confusion prevails as parents unsure of exact provisions
Confusion prevails as parents unsure of exact provisions
Even after years of battling with school managements finally resulted in the passing of the Maharashtra Educational Institutions (Regulation of Collection of Fee) Act, parents are not rejoicing. The reason is they simply are not sure if they should be.
Though happy that the government took the initiative and passed the act that governs all kinds of schoolsu00a0-- both aided and unaided as well as pre-primary sectionsu00a0-- in the absence of such a law so far, parents say that they do not want to celebrate too early as they are not sure about the efficacy of the new law.
According to media reports, the bill that has been passed is a diluted version of the draft proposed by parents. Instead of fee hikes after three years, the bill allows it every two years. Also, the law has made offences non-bailable and kept the fine for violations between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 5 lakh, which parents feel is too low.
"We appreciate the fact that Education Minister Rajendra Darda and his team at least came up with a law when successive governments shielded private managements and never heard parents. But provisions of the new law are yet to be declared and so we aren't sure if we should rejoice or not," said Anil Mahajan, member of the Sinhagad Springdale Parents Association.
Ajay Sathe, member of Rosary Parents Association, said most parents had mixed reactions to the act. "We are happy with the fact that parents have been empowered to take decisions and that PTAs will play a greater role in deciding fees, et cetera. However some provisions like non-bailable offences for violators, an upper limit for fee hikes in schools and facilities in schools to be reviewed and managements be held responsible for lapses in facilities was expected, which according to media reports isn't part of act," said Sathe.
School principals, too, had mixed reactions to the act. "Maybe this law will help resolve the conflict as it seems to be a balanced act. However, we had hoped that issues like capitation fees also be discussed in the new law, which we presume aren't a part of it. Besides, we hope fee hikes to be done taking into consideration standards of schools, facilities and teachers salaries, et cetera, is also part of act," said Meena Chandavarkar, director, New India School.
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