Though the recent government order releasing Rs. 97 crore for two years of backlog fees to private schools has been welcomed, parents and activists say that a lot of details are yet to be made public.
On Friday, the State government released the money due to schools for the academic years 2013-14 and 2014-15 to the tune of Rs. 25.14 crore and Rs. 71.91 crore respectively.
The move came after many schools declined to issue forms unless their backlog fees were paid. Several schools also demanded that students admitted through RTE pay their fees if they wanted to continue in the school.
The move, however, might be a little late for many parents. “Many of us have taken loans and sold jewels to pay fees. The school said they would reimburse the fees once the government pays them. Now we doubt if we will get our money back,” said a parent of a private school
With only two days to go before the deadline for receipt of applications, activists are hoping for an extension in the last date.
“Even if all schools start issuing forms tomorrow, it will be difficult for deserving parents to complete the form and submit it by the deadline on May 19,” said N. Umapathy of Slum Children Sports Talent and Education Development Society.
An official said the deadline may be extended depending on the number of applications the schools had received so far.
Another concern is that the fee fixing committee does not take into account many expenses students incur during schools.
