Explain why panel on school fee hike not notified yet: HC to Govt

NEW DELHI: Accusing the state government of deliberate delay in empowering a Delhi high court-appointed panel tasked with carrying out audit of private schools, a parents' association on Friday moved HC, seeking implementation of its orders.

The association blamed the government of being slack in notifying the committee, and alleged that it had not even begun the job of providing the committee with manpower to serve its purpose.

A division bench of Justice A K Sikri and Justice Siddharth Mridul issued notice to the government, seeking its reply by September 9. Earlier, the same bench had issued directions to set up a committee headed by former judge Anil Dev Singh to audit the accounts of each of the schools to ascertain if the hike was required. The bench authorized the committee to scrutinize the accounts of minority schools, too. That order had come on a PIL, which alleged that despite CAG's indictment of 25 private schools for accounting malpractices, including faking losses, the city government had allowed them to hike tuition fee.

"If the committee finds that the hike was not required, the schools are bound to return the money to students with 9% interest," the bench had said in a 143-page verdict on August 12. The committee also comprises J S Kochar, a chartered accountant, and an official from the Directorate of Education, to be nominated by the Delhi chief secretary.

Counsel for the parents, Ashok Aggarwal, told the court he is apprehensive about the committee facing resistance and non co-operation from the state government akin to the Justice Santosh Duggal Committee, which had led to "great injustice to lakhs of hapless parents". He urged HC to fast-track the process of notification of the committee so that audit of schools could be carried out to verify if hike in fee by them is justified.

In its judgment, the court had also suggested to the city government to create a permanent regulatory authority, either by amending the Education Act or by enacting a new legislation, to resolve the issue of periodic hikes in tuition fee. It also suggested the Central government to frame a national policy on fees for unaided schools.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Explain-why-panel-on-school-fee-hike-not-notified-yet-HC-to-Govt/articleshow/9842566.cms

www.hindustantimes.com | 22Feb2011 | Mumbai

Sakshi | 14Feb2010 | Page 6 | http://www.sakshi.com/

Schools turn events into marketing stunts

HYDERABAD: The once small-scale school events have metamorphosed into mega events, creeping out of school campuses into stadiums and auditoriums, galleries or even hotels. Be it the school's annual day or an anniversary blast, the budgets of these celebrations are now in the range of Rs 2 lakh to Rs 20 lakh per annum. 

From renting sports stadiums to flaunting a few local celebrities and public figures in functions including annual days, the schools are ready to do it all to market themselves to future parents. In the past few months alone, a city school has organised a function at Gachibowli stadium spending Rs 55,000 even as another school is currently planning to book the same location for its 15 year anniversary to be held soon, the budget for which is estimated to be Rs 75,000. Another such event in the city was a musical event organised by a private school spending Rs 35,000 with professional singers from the city participating in it. 

But even as the managements are having a blast with these publicity functions meant to attract more students to their schools, it is the parents who are feeling the pinch with the managements seeking "contributions'' from students. Schools collect Rs 200 to Rs 1,000 per student to conduct these mega events. 

"Right at the beginning of the academic year, the fee collected is based on the expenditure of the school to hold such events too. The 10 to 30 per cent fee hike which is thrust upon the parents every year is the direct result of such events conducted by the school," a parent said. 

Parents also alleged that while splurging money on public functions, the schools do not take care of the interests of the students. "From Sanskrit Divas to Hindi Diwas the students are made to participate in all events in the school and we are forced to spend on costumes and food," said a parent. 

With schools actively celebrating every event , right from "Global Handwash Day" to "Say no to Drugs Campaign" on the roads, holding rallies to attract attention more to their brand than to the cause, the parents remain a disgruntled lot. 

Parents pointed out that there are some schools which hold mega events thoughout the year for publicity. These schools which have branches across the city and conduct at least 10 events in a month, starting from inter school painting competitions and debate competitions to stamp exhibitions, most of which are held in public venues like galleries. 

Meanwhile, students said that they often feel compelled to participate in the events. "In our school all the trips are currently study tours and it is mandatory for us to attend them. We are also supposed to participate in all the festivals be it Janmashtami or Dasara and these functions are held in Ravindra Bharati and not the school premises," said a student. 

Parents say with the state government not introducing a fee regulation act even after the High Court directed them to bring relief to the parents by regulating fees, they would have to continue funding school functions. 

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Schools-turn-events-into-marketing-stunts/articleshow/6904701.cms

(Times of India | Hyderabad | Page5 | 11.11.2010)

Press is supporting us, What are we now waiting for ?

Sakshi | Page9 Hyderabad | 14th June, 2010

Wow GoAP, what justice is this ?

What justice or law is this ? On one hand government says they have no control on school education & the GO issued by ex CM Dr YSR has been suspended by HC. Government tried to support it half heartedly with only Addl AG taking up this case in HC. Whyn't taken seriously & had the AG take it up personally ? Funny case like Sania & Shoib was taken by him personally & they had no time to take up a case in support of lakhs of parents in the state ???

And now, they want to regulate (as per law they have the right & authority, anyway) in professional colleges. Check these 2 contradictory statements in today's press ! Such a pathetic scenario that the professional college fees are being regulated & are much lesser than many school fee's in AP ....

Mr. CM whats your take on this ? 

School, as a private entity, we're sure has every right & authority to decide on who could be their customers - law of private enterprises. But its a shame that if some rightful demand is being asked for they say "get lost, from our place" Who has given this authority to such people ? Time to say thank you Mr. Educationist !!!

Questions that arise countlessly for parents in Andhra Pradesh

- What is right & what is the law supporting it ?

- What is education & who can afford this ?

- Who is the government supporting & what is being done for its citizens ?

- What, where & why to be questioned & answered .. by whom ?

Times of India | Page2 | 29th April, 2010

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/School-removes-72-students-from-rolls-/articleshow/5870819.cms

Sakshi Telugu News Paper | www.sakshi.com | Page 10 | 29th April, 2010