In an attempt to rein in arbitrary fee hike and huge donations by some private schools in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced the setting up a self-regulatory committee that would decide the fee structure.
At a meeting with representatives of private schools, the Chief Minister questioned authorities of eight renowned private schools, including La Martiniere for Boys, Hertitage School and St Xavier’s College, for the high fee structure and donation.
“La Martiniere charges Rs 2. 47 lakh, the highest among all. Why are you taking so much and then also donation. This is a good school. There has been a case on the issue of donation,” Ms Banerjee said at the gathering.
Reverend Abir Adhikari, a representative of the school, said the institution does not formally charge any donation.
The Chief Minister expressed her displeasure with the authorities of Shri Sikshayatan School, claiming that the principal of the school, Sangeeta Tandon, was making students hear political speeches.
“Why is she (the principal) making children hear political speeches in the class? This is very bad. Children of Class V, VI, VII and VIII are made to hear political speeches by putting LED,” Ms Banerjee said at the meeting.
But Bratati Bhattacharya, secretary general of the Sikshayatan Foundation, said the school had conducted an inquiry and not found anything to this effect.
Giving details of the regulatory mechanism, Ms Banerjee said the newly-constituted committee would hold meetings at regular intervals, check balance sheets and decide the school fees.
Bengali must
The Chief Minister made it clear that students will have to study Bengali from next year.
“Out of three languages one will be Bengali. You teach students English or Hindi but at least teach them Bengali as a third language,” she said.
Ms Banerjee said Bengali would be taught till Class X from next year.
