Srinagar, Oct 1: Parents have hailed government decision of waving-off tuition fee and transport charges of students for August and September.
Schools across the valley have remained shut since August, 5 when central government abrogated Article 370. Though government had declared schools open, students preferred to stay home given the precarious security situation.
On Monday, the divisional administration directed all the deputy commissioners to ensure that no student shall be charged tuition and transport fee. Divisional Commissioner Baseer Khan warned of cancelling registration of those schools which will violate the order.
“This move brought much needed relief to the parents,” said Sajad Ahmad Mir of Gojwara, whose ward is studying in one of prominent private schools of Srinagar.
Mir noted that most of the parents had to engage home tutors for their wards as schools and tuition centers ceased to function.
“We have spent huge money on home tutors. We were concerned about tuition fee and transport charges,” Mir added.
Irfan Ahmad, another parent, said government should issue a formal notification regarding the waving-off all the charges.
“We hope government takes up this issue seriously. There are many other dues like annual charges and admission fee, which schools demand from parents. Government should look into this too. Similar orders should also be issued to coaching centers to wave -off the fee for the students,” he said.
Many however were apprehensive about violation of government directions by the schools. “In many schools the parents have already paid fee in advance. The government should press the schools to either refund or adjust it,” Ahsan Khan, another parent said.
“Similar orders were passed by the High Court in 2016, but many schools violated the orders. We appeal government to keep a tab on such schools which force the parents to pay fee for nonworking days and months,” he added.
