State yet to finalise fee regulation policy

After much hue and cry over the incessant fee hikes in schools,the state government on the directive of Bombay High Court in May 2009 decided to come up with a policy for regulating school fees. It formed a 19-member committee under the chairmanship of former IAS officer Kumud Bansal to recommend the structure of fee regulatory committees.

The Bansal Committee gave its report in October 2009 that was widely discussed on various forums. The committee invited suggestions and objections on the report and received some 32,819 memorandums in the form of suggestions and objections.

Considering some of the recommendations by Bansal Committee and suggestions given on it by various bodies,government came up with May 21 resolution.

“ The good thing about the May 21 GR is that it has proposed to restrict annual fee hike to 6 per cent instead of 15 per cent as recommended by Bansal Committee. It also proposed to hike fees as per the objective parameters. However,there should be more transparency and the hike should be posted on school website,” said Wagh.

Now,as per the High Court directive government has invited suggestions and recommendations on the May 21 GR till June 10. As per the procedure,the government will file an affidavit in the High Court after compiling these suggestions and recommendations. It will then make necessary changes in the GR and will take a final decision on the policy.

Citizens can post their suggestions or objections on the May 21 GR on http://www.maharashtra.gov.in. Any student,parent or citizen can submit suggestions or objections on fee fixation of unaided primary,secondary and higher secondary schools with the director of secondary education before June 10 in writing on Education Director (secondary and higher secondary education),Pune- 411 001 or mail it to edn@rediffmail.com .