Imphal, January 24 2010: The AMSU, MSF and KSA have insisted that private schools take only one month's tuition fee and transportation charge out of four months during which no class was conducted because of the class boycott, called in protest against the July 23 Khwairamband killings.

A joint statement issued by the three student bodies called upon the All Manipur Government Recognised Private School Welfare Association and the All Manipur Student Transporters' Association to reconsider their decisions of taking fees and transportation charge for all the four months.

In case the two associations under the impression that taking only one month's fee and transportation charge would be too much of a loss, then what is the gain of the students who stayed away from class rooms for four months, the student bodies asked.

They further asked all private school authorities and student transporters to return fees taken in excess of one month by February 2, if they have already taken fees for more than one month.

Or the additional fees already taken may be adjusted under an understanding with students/guardians, suggested the student bodies.

Saying that the direct reaction of the All Manipur Government Recognised Private School Welfare Association to the joint statement of AMSU, MSF and KSA has the potential to project the student bodies in the wrong light, they exhorted the private school authorities to be always cautious not to invite interference from the students and exposure of their dirty facets to the public.

The position of AMSU, MSF and KSA regarding tuition fee was laid down clearly before the president and secretary organisation of the private school organisation during a joint meeting held on January 12 .

They were also given the opportunity to call other functionaries of their organisation in case they could not take a definite decision on the matter.

The duo promptly called other functionaries through mobile phone twice.

But the other functionaries never turned up.

It would be wrong to think that people would accept any decision adopted by the All Manipur Government Recognised Private School Welfare Association regarding the question of tuition fees.

The matter should be decided by the public.

The AMSU, MSF and KSA would take up necessary action against those private schools if any complaint about not refunding the additional fees (more than one month) taken from students is received after February 2 .

It may be true that the transportation of students was not done on daily engagement basis and is under an annual contract system.

But it was not only the student transporters who were affected by the class boycott movement.

Normal life and daily routines of all sections of people were affected by the protest movement, the student bodies pointed out.

They further appealed to the All Manipur Student Transporters' Association not to do anything that may let down their service.

For the four months during which no class was conducted, the student transporters would be getting at least one month's money but the students have lost the four months completely.

Silence of the All Manipur Student Guardians' Association and other parents'/guardians' association on the issue of taking tuition fee for more than one month is not correct.

It's time they assert for their rights.

The AMSU, MSF and KSA are also studying the situation arising out of conducting annual/final exams by private school authorities with their eyes on taking tuition fees for the class boycott period, it added.

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