Guardians seek revision of fee order
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 21 2021: All Manipur Students' Guardian Organisation has urged the Directorate of Education (Schools) to rescind its order issued on June 16 notifying collection of 50 per cent monthly fee from students.

In a statement, Organisation secretary Sumati Sougrakpam said that amidst the appeal for reviewing the order issued on June 16 to collect 50 per cent fee from students in the interest of further studies of the students, the request made by president of United Association of Recognised School of Manipur to parents/guardians of students to pay 70 percent of the school fee is against the aforementioned order.

"Aside from the obscurity surrounding the formation of United Association of Recognised School of Manipur, it is unclear whether it is an apex body or a conglomerate of some private schools.

The Association needs to clarify whether it is a joint body of the 600-plus private schools in the state and also explain its aims/objectives.

Its recent request through the local dailies urging students to pay 70 per cent of the school clearly indicates it is against the order of the government", she observed.

Condemning the speed at which the government had issued the order and the Association for its attempts to collect school fee from the students, especially during this pandemic; Sumati said that there are many students who are unable to get admissions.

It would be a good step to first allow the students to get admission and then talk about the fees, she said, while raising concern that such order from the government could lead to more dropouts instead.

"Additionally, the Association shouldn't be worried with the examination processes", she remarked.

The secretary then drew the attention of the chief minister and the education minister to formulate a longterm policy or programme to make education free of tension and cost for students during the pandemic, in addition to providing quality education to students in government, private, government-aided schools.

This, in turn, would allow the government to set up a structure for fee and fine related matters.

"School Fagathansi Mission will be a success if education for all is a success", she contended.

Comment