AHMEDABAD:
Gujarat high court
on Wednesday issued notice to the state government and sought explanation for lack of representation from parents in the
private schools
’ fee regulation process.
In response to a PIL filed by
Praful Desai
of ‘
Jagte Raho Party
’ seeking representation for parents in the proposed free regulatory committee, a bench of Chief Justice RS Reddy and Justice
VM Pancholi
commented that commercialization of education cannot be permitted. Private schools have mushroomed and they are charging fees at will. This is not a problem that is limited to Gujarat but something that concerns the entire country.
Insisting on the need to have parents’ view in the education process, the judges said that when quality of education, and the facility and infrastructure provided by schools are taken into consideration in fixing the fee structure, the government has to take parents’ view into account. “This is a serious issue and it requires examination,” the judges said.
The high court also observed orally that just as a fee regulatory committee exists to finalize the fee structure in higher education, it is necessary to have a committee for private primary and secondary schools. If there is a requirement to regulate fees, there is no reason why parents’ participation should not be there in the process.
The high court also hinted at possible changes that could take place in the recently formulated policy for fee regulation, and that the government should be prepared for amendments.
Further hearing on the matter is kept on June 7.
The PIL is seeking the high court’s directions to the government to set up a fee regulatory committee comprising a retired high court judge, government representatives, an education department official as well as one representative of parents’ associations in each of the four zones in Gujarat. Until the committee comes up with recommendations, the petitioner has demanded that schools should continue with last year’s fee structure.
The petitioner has also argued that it is difficult to limit fee in a uniform manner because the schools too have to pay good salary to hire good teachers. However, there is blatant violation of the notification issued by the district education officer in Ahmedabad restricting schools from charging high fees.
Explore the yearly horoscope 2025 for Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces zodiac signs. Spread love this holiday season with these New Year wishes, messages and quotes.