Even as the Gujarat government battles to contain increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the state by intensive testing and being strict with those misbehaving with doctors and police on duty, in a move that could bring some relief to lakhs of parents, it has decided that the schools in the state will not increase fees in the new academic session.
Ashwini Kumar, Secretary to Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, said in Gandhinagar on Monday that a decision was taken at a meeting held on Sunday between Education Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama and the school management association.
He said the schools will also allow parents to pay fees of March, April and May 2020 in monthly instalments. In case the financial condition of a parent is weak, he or she can pay the fees in a staggered manner up to November 2020.
Kumar later told THE WEEK that the decision applies to all the schools of various boards in Gujarat, including CBSE, ICSE and IB.
Gujarat Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi, however, alleged that the government has taken a decision without studying the situation. He demanded that a fee waiver of at least 50 per cent be given.
In a related development, the state government also declared a vacation in colleges and universities till May 17. A decision on the pending examinations will be taken after the reopening on May 18 as per UGC and AICTE guidelines, the officer said.
Meanwhile, evaluations of the answer sheets of students, who appeared for grade X and XII examinations, will begin from April 16.