Additional tuition fees: Parents should not be afraid to file a complaint – School Education Minister

Tamil Nadu: School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh made a statement that parents should not hesitate to complain about the extra fees charged by private schools, and that appropriate action would be taken upon receiving complaints.

A bill amending the law enacted in 2009 to regulate fee collection in schools was introduced in the Assembly and passed on Saturday.

The bill includes provisions for ‘making parents members of the fee-fixing committee, giving them up to 30 days to object to the fees fixed by the committee, and fixing fees once every three years.’

Members from different parties spoke on the issue in the House:

T. Velmurugan (Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi): Private schools are collecting exorbitant fees through various means. The government should monitor this.

V.P. Mali (Communist Party of India (Marxist)): The government should also regulate and monitor the steep fee hikes in CBSE schools.

J. Mohammed Shanawaz (Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi): Parents’ associations should be allowed to file complaints against schools. The action taken against them should be disclosed.

G.K. Mani (Pattali Makkal Katchi): He said the government should monitor the reform efforts.

Responding to this, Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi said, “Parents do not come forward to complain if private schools collect extra fees. Since the average annual income of a person in Tamil Nadu has increased to Rs. 3.60 lakh, most parents want to send their children to private schools. This cannot be stopped. CBSE and ICSE schools are under the control of the central government. Children should not be expelled from those schools on the grounds of non-payment of fees. Parents should not hesitate to complain against those schools. Action will be taken upon receiving complaints. It will be ensured that the new rules are properly implemented. The demands made by the members will be considered.”