Private schools in the district have decided to defer the reopening of the next academic year.
“Most schools have indefinitely postponed the reopening, and it is an unanimous decision,” R. Visalakshi, president, Association of Managements of Nursery, Primary and Matriculation Schools, Coimbatore, told a press conference here on Thursday.
The decision was taken at a meeting the association convened earlier in the day.
Even non-members participated. In all, around 400 schools were represented.
“The schools have been forced to take such a decision because after their appeal against the fees determined by the Justice Govindarajan-led Private Schools Fee Determination Committee, they will not know which fees to collect – the old one or the fees determined by the committee.”
“And, in such a situation it will be difficult for the managements to start the academic year,” she explained.
The committee's recommendations were “unreasonable” as it had not taken into account the managements' suggestions.
Schools would not be in a position to carry out development activities, hike teachers' salary and improve quality of education.
In response to a question, Ms. Visalakshi said the association would, however, welcome any move by the Government to regulate teachers' pay. “If that is done and the fees to be collected are determined after taking into account the infrastructure needs, the association will be happy.”
The schools would appeal to the committee at the earliest as the period for appeal is only 15 days. She hoped that the committee would come up with reasonable recommendations.
