Karnataka: Schools threaten to stop online classes if fees not paid
The Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka (KAMS) has threatened to stop all online classes primary and secondary education minister S Suresh Kumar does not clarify on the issue of payment of fees.
FollowBengaluru: Private schools affiliated to the State board have threatened to stop online classes from November 30 for students who have not paid the fees for the 2020-21 academic year. This, despite the fact that the Department of Primary and Secondary Education is yet to give permission to school managements to collect fees for the second term.
In a statement, the association said, “The minister had told some reporters that students will be promoted even if they do not pay fees. This is condemnable and irresponsible. Most budget schools charge Rs 10,000-Rs 25,000 fee and have even reduced this. If you don’t clarify and keep making fancy and impractical statements to the media, we will stop online/offline classes for those who have not taken admissions or paid minimum fee for continued learning from November 30.”
It went on to say, “If government schools are not functioning, will you stop salary for your teachers and staff? Salaries in private schools are not being paid at private schools because fees are not being collected.”
After a request from managements, the State government had allowed schools to collect fees for the first term. However, many private schools claim that less than 30% of parents paid up. In some schools, parents have reportedly given only ₹500 or ₹1,000 as registration fees to complete the admission process.
Many teachers have not been paid at all for the past eight months or managements have cut salaries — by half in some cases.
In response to KAMS' statement, Suresh Kumar said, “We will hold a meeting with private school
managements associations and reach an amicable solution soon.”
