Schools charging high fees to be rapped

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Mar 8, 2015:   In the wake of  admissions for seats in pre-primary, primary and high school seats in private institutes will commence on March 10, the district-level Education Regulating Authority (ERA) headed by DK DC  A B Ibrahim will monitor the process it is reported.   The Department Of Public Instruction In Dakshina Kannada District Is Gearing Up To Prevent Charging Of Excessive Fees And To Check Violations During Admission to Private Schools For The 2015-16 Academic Year. 

Mohammed Mohsin, commissioner, department of public instruction, directed all deputy directors and block education officers across the state to be vigilant to check excessive collection of tuition fees from parents during admission. The department sent a circular following frequent complaints regarding private schools collecting more money than that prescribed by the government.

As per the circular, private schools should announce the available seats on March 10, application forms distributed from March 15 and the last date for submission is April 30. The final admission list should be published by private schools on May 25. Schools will have to pay Rs 25,000 as penalty if they hold an entrance test for children or parents. Action will be initiated against schools if they fail to follow rules. Activists say many private schools don’t follow these rules.

"The government makes rules, but most private schools don’t follow them. Though the ERA is entrusted with checking violations, it fails to do so due to lack of evidence. Most parents don’t come forward with evidence against private schools. Hence, admission in private schools continues without transparency," said Renni D’Souza, director, Valored.

One activists made a point that the Education Department officers are frequently invited by Schools and  felicitated, given valuable gifts and  treated gorgeously . In other words bribed royally. This  needs to be watched and curbed.

DDPI Walter D’Mello said the authority will take action against private schools which violate rules during admission. "There are nearly 450 private schools in the district and the authority will look into all complaints. Parents may approach BEOs or district-level officers if schools violate rules during admission," he stated.