COVID-19: Assam government asks educational institutions to waive off 25% school fees

GUWAHATI: Following COVID-19 pandemic, Assam government has asked private educational institutions to waive off at least 25 per cent fees of students from Pre-Primary to Class 12.

This will be applicable from May 1, 2020 till the “formal and physical opening of schools”.

Assam education minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted, “In view of #COVID19 pandemic, we've advised all private educational institutions to offer at least 25% concessions in monthly fees (pre-primary to XII), from May 1, 2020 till formal opening of schools. These institutions are saving substantial expenditure under various heads”.

In a notification, the Commissioner and Secretary to the Government of Assam, Education Department
, said that the institutions must give fee relaxation as they are saving substantial amounts on various fronts such as: energy charges on electrical consumption, fuel cost for transportation, maintenance of vehicles, cost of meals in the case of residential and day-boarding schools, maintenance of swimming pools and gyms, reduction in the cost of cleaning, reduction in the cost of organizing events.

There has been demand from several quarters to waive the school fees. Some people have even moved courts seeking relief.

Guwahati based Advocate Bikash Sharma has filed a PIL in the Gauhati High Court seeking issuance of writ of mandamus for issuing direction to the private schools to waive fees till schools are operational.