School fees during lockdown: Parents approach Supreme Court seeking regulation

NEW DELHI: Parents from eight states approached the Supreme Court on Tuesday seeking directions to bring in regulatory mechanisms for fees in private schools during the coronavirus-induced lockdown.

The plea sought directions to the state governments to tell private unaided/aided schools not to charge any fees from any enrolled students for a period of three months starting from April or till the commencement of classes physically.

It said full fees ought not be charged for online classes and asserted that few schools are



charging additional charges for online classes. It likewise looked to guarantee that the Center and state governments should guide private independent and supported schools to not strike out/expel understudies or toll any punitive/overcharge well beyond the school expenses for non-installment of charges by enlisted understudies because of lockdown.

The plea said that parents are facing constant financial and emotional hardships during the lockdown and it may leave a few of them with no option but to withdraw their children or students from schools.