Big relief! Maharashtra Cabinet approves 15% cut in private school fees due to pandemic

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (July 28) came to the rescue of parents in the state by directing the Maharashtra government to consider its May judgement to Rajasthan schools to collect 15 per cent reduced fees in 2000-21. Following the court`s direction, the Maharashtra Cabinet decided to implement the changes and collect reduced fees from private school fees.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday (July 28) came to the rescue of parents in the state by directing the Maharashtra government to consider its May judgement to Rajasthan schools to collect 15 per cent reduced fees in 2000-21. Following the court's direction, the Maharashtra Cabinet decided to implement the changes and collect reduced fees from private schools in the state during the pandemic period.

Earlier, parents requested Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and state Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad in a letter to ask the private schools to reduce their fees by 15 per cent from 2019 to 2021. The letter was written after SC ordered a fees reduction for Rajasthan. 

Excerpts from letter

"Many schools are profiteering even in pandemic which is a serious concern and must be addressed immediately. Parents have been approaching the education minister and the education department but nothing happened in the past year and schools are still exploiting parents by demanding 100 per cent fees. In line with the Supreme Court decision, we demand a similar waiver for parents in the state," said the letter.

The ordinance was tabled in the state cabinet giving the state the power to intervene in the fees of private schools during a pandemic-like situation.