Govt cracks the whip on private schools

HYDERABAD: In the first ever move to exercise control over the way private schools increase fees arbitrarily, the government on Wednesday started examining their account books and fee structure. It slapped notices on 12 private schools saying that they would be inspected by a committee and followed it up by inspecting some institutes later in the day.
Sudhakar Reddy, regional joint director of school education, said that Vidyaranya School, Jubilee Hills Public School, Johnson Grammar School, Glendale Academy, Delhi Public School, Nacharam, Delhi Public School, Nanakramguda, Meridian School, Madhapur and Chirec Public School were the first ones to receive notices about an impending government inspection. Other schools that would be examined in the first phase include Oakridge International, Santa Maria School, Adhyudaya High School and Sanghamitra School.
Reddy will head the committee comprising deputy education officers and auditors. "We are verifying the fee structure of these schools. Once the verification is done, we will submit the report to the government," he said. The report is expected to be submitted by the end of August.
All the schools have to adhere to GO Ms 1, according to which, schools can earn a maximum profit of 5%. This apart, 50% of fees collected by schools should be paid as salaries to teachers. The GO also says that schools have to submit their annual reports and audited statements of accounts every year to the government.
"If any school is found flouting the norms, the government will initiate action against it. Action can also be in the form of cancellation of recognition, penalties and refund of the access money charged by schools," said T Chiranjeevulu, commissioner of school education, Telangana.
According to officials, this is the first time a committee has been formed by any state similar to the panel formed in the national capital by the Delhi High Court, which recently directed 55 schools to refund excess fee with nine per cent interest.
The list of schools in Telangana was prepared on the basis of numerous complaints received by the school education department.
School managements in the city, meanwhile, said they are ready to cooperate with the officials. "As far as inspections are concerned, we are ready to share whatever information the government asks for as the fee charged by us is in accordance with the facilities and infrastructure provided to students," said Minu Khan, assistant director of Glendale Academy.
Times View
While the government move is welcome, authorities should ensure that action is taken against schools. Schools should not be let off with mere warnings or penalties that in the long run won't serve the purpose of curbing steep fee hike slapped on parents every year.