Fee cut: School managements move Karnataka HC

The High Court on Wednesday ordered notice to the state government on a batch of petitions filed by the associations of private schools.

The petitions challenge the state government circulars on fee reduction and also regarding the display of fee structure, submission of audit reports and infrastructure.

The petition filed by the Karnataka State Minorities Educational Institutions Managements Federation has challenged the circulars regarding collection of only 70% of the fees and the circular mandating display of fee structure and submission of audit report.

The petition filed by the Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka (KAMS), along with some schools, challenged the circular on fee reduction and the circular on the infrastructure. The circular on the infrastructure stipulates installation of an overhead tank with a high capacity pump of 10,000 litres’ capacity, adequate space around the campus for fire safety and regarding obtaining no objection certificate from the Fire department, renewable once in every five years.

Justice R Devdas ordered notice to the state government and also directed to file a statement of objections. The petitions contended that the January 29, 2021 circular on collection of only 70% of the fees, collected in 2019-20 (without any other changes), affects their rights. This is more so in the case of minority educational institutions. The minority educational institutions enjoy protection under Article 30 of the constitution, the petition said.

The petitioners said when calculated, the reduction of fees would amount to nearly 50% as there are no admission fees and other charges for the academic year 2020-21. The petition said the schools are spending more on conducting online classes, which requires additional infrastructure.

On the issue of circular pertaining to infrastructure, dated November 20, 2020, the petition stated that most of the schools are budget schools and cannot afford to run from pillar to post for obtaining certificates from the Fire department. The school managements are facing financial crunch due to Covid-19 and since many parents have not made the payment of fees, the circular will further burden the schools, the petition said.