"We have proposed to states that if private schools want to hike
fees in the beginning of a session, it has to be done in consultations with
parent-teacher associations, but we will not allow mid-session fee hike," Smriti
Irani, The Union HRD Minister, said.
Seeing the growing resentment amongst parents about the excessively high
private school fees, the minister said that necessary steps will be taken to
not allow such hikes. She also added that her ministry has received many
complaints regarding this issue oflate.
Mrs. Smriti Irani was attending the foundation stone laying ceremony of
IIM-Amritsar's own campus when she made the statements. She assured that the
Centre has proposed this to states and also added that the Punjab government
will soon take a decision regarding the same matter.
The minister also declared that the Central government will provide full
support to the Punjab government in its plans to consolidate schools lacking
proper amenities.
Quoting the minister, "The Government of India has asked the state if they want to consolidate the schools ... where the schools lack proper infrastructure and if they want to tie up with bigger schools, then the Centre will fully support the state so that from class 1-12 can study under one roof with full amenities".