Dy CM promises to control rising school fees

Hyderabad, March 21 (INN): Deputy Chief Minister (Education) Kadiyam Srihari on Monday assured that the State Government would take all measures to prevent private schools from charging exorbitant fee.

Replying to a question raised by TDP MLA A. Revanth Reddy and others during Question Hour in Legislative Assembly, the Deputy Chief Minister informed that the State Government had constituted a committee to study the complaints of exorbitant fee collection by private schools. He said 12 international schools were served notices and they have replied to the same. He said previous governments had issued two GOs (GO No. 44 & 91) to control increase in fee and implement RTE. However, the managements of private schools challenged both the GOs in the High Court and secured stay. The State Government has filed a Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court to vacate those stays.

Kadiyam also informed that two representations were received by the government, one from Hyderabad Schools Parents Association regarding hike in the fee charged by various un-aided schools in the State in the past 8 to 10 years and another from Glendale Academy Parents Association on similar lines. He said that the District Educational Officers were authorised to regularly take necessary action against such un-recognised private schools as per the Rules issued vide GO Ms. No. 1, Education (PS. 2), dated 1.1.1994.

The Deputy CM said he would soon convene a meeting with the associations of parents and private school managements to resolve the issue. He also informed that there were 152 un-recognised schools operating in the city. However, he said the students of these schools have been permitted to appear for SSC exams.

Earlier, BJP floor leader Dr. K. Lakshman alleged the officials of Education Department of encouraging private schools who are collecting lakhs of rupees towards fee. He asked when the State Government could regulate fee in professional colleges, why same rules could not be extended to private schools.

MIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi demanded that the process for recognition of schools be simplified. He said that the government should focus on improving the standard of education in all schools and should not target unrecognised schools, especially those located in slum areas.

TDP MLA R. Krishnaiah pointed out that some corporate houses were running multiple schools on a single license. He said that the Assembly should regulate and streamline the functioning of all private schools in the State.

Congress MLA Puvvada Ajay Kumar said poor children were being denied admissions in top schools. He demanded that the State Government implement RTE across Telangana.