‘Rob’ Peter to pay Paul?

For parents of children studying in private schools, the implementation of the Right to Education (RTE) Act may force them to shell out more as school fee, as the private schools affiliated to state board are contemplating a fee hike.

This will only be confirmed after their meeting, which will be convened after the schools receive draft orders. There are more than 10,000 private schools affiliated to the state board in Bangalore.

“Usually, the fee is increased by about 10-15% per annum. However, with the RTE coming into force, the schools will have to increase it by at least 25%,” said D Shashi Kumar, organising secretary of Karnataka State Private School Management Federation.
“We still have to work out the finalities, and check with details on the amount of commitment between the government and schools. If it is within the budget, we will be able to manage, else the fee will have to be increased,” he said.

Although the government has allotted a cost per child, Kumar said the amount would not be sufficient. He said there was no other option, but to pass on the cost to parents of regular students.
“Who is going to pay the extra cost? When the government itself has a financial deficit to implement this, how will they be able to compensate the extra costs private schools will face,” he questioned.

“The budget for each child has been allocated only partly by the government. There is so much more expenditure on the schools’ part, be it uniforms, books, water, buildings etc,” he added.

Mansoor Ali Khan, general secretary of Karnataka Management of Independent CBSE Schools Association, said the organisation would convene a meeting soon to discuss the matter. As for Delhi Public School, he said that besides the regular annual increase of 5% per year (which is increased in one shot every three years, ie 15%), the fee would only be increased, probably next year, owing to other expenses at the school.