In Hyderabad, private schools are notorious for their exorbitant fees. As the new academic year approaches, parents are once again being confronted with high fees, which some are calling “looting.”
The fees charged by private schools in Hyderabad are among the highest in the country. Despite the fact that the state government has set guidelines for private school fees, many schools are flouting these rules and charging fees that are much higher than what is allowed.
When #Khabarlive reached some prominent private schools, they refused to comment on the issue, another denied while two others feigned ignorance and said till next they were busy with ‘exams and PTA meetings’.
This issue has been a bone of contention between parents and private schools in Hyderabad for years. Despite repeated complaints and protests by parents, private schools have refused to lower their fees or abide by government guidelines.
Parents have alleged that private schools in Hyderabad have been exploiting them by charging high fees for several years. This year is no different, and many parents are struggling to pay the fees demanded by these schools.
According to parents, certain schools have been asking a percentage of 2023-24’s first term fee to be paid in April/May itself.
“The school staff casually said if we fail to do so, and new admissions are willing to pay for the limited seats that are available, our child’s seat in the next year cannot be guaranteed. When I asked them to give it to me in writing, they refused,” said Sudhakar Reddy, whose child studies in a school at Doodhbowli area of old Hyderabad.
Another parent, whose child is looking to move to another school, said that they were being denied the transfer certificate unless they paid 30 per cent of the next year’s term fee.
“Apparently, for the child to be given a TC, the parent should have applied for it before March 31 or pay 30 per cent of next term’s fee, which is a blatant deprivation of a ward’s basic right,” said another parent.
According to the law experts, as per Section 5 (3) of the Right To Education Act 2009, a transfer certificate is to be issued by the school without any charge. On failing to oblige, the management is liable for disciplinary action. Meanwhile, the school where the child is seeking admission cannot deny admission if there is a delay in procuring the TC certificate.
Certain international and private schools have also been forcing parents to purchase books for the next academic year only via a link of a particular vendor or their own stall.
“It’s the same with uniforms. We were also sent a circular that we must collect them only on one particular day. If we want it, we’ll have to pay a late fine,” said a parent of a renowned international school.
The fees charged by private schools in Hyderabad are not only high but also arbitrary. Some schools charge exorbitant fees for registration, while others charge for facilities that are not even provided.
For instance, some schools charge fees for transport, but the transport is either not provided or is of poor quality. Others charge for extra-curricular activities, but do not provide any opportunities for such activities.
Furthermore, some schools have made it mandatory for parents to purchase books and uniforms from them, which are sold at inflated prices. Parents have alleged that they are being forced to pay these fees, even though they are not necessary for their children’s education.
Private schools have defended their high fees by claiming that they provide better education than government schools. However, this argument has been debunked by several studies, which have found that there is no significant difference in the quality of education provided by private and government schools.
Moreover, private schools in Hyderabad have been criticized for their lack of transparency in their fee structure. Many schools do not provide a breakdown of their fees or the services that they provide. This lack of transparency has made it difficult for parents to understand why they are being charged such high fees.
Parents have also alleged that private schools in Hyderabad are not providing value for money. Many schools do not invest in quality infrastructure, such as libraries, labs, and playgrounds, which are essential for a child’s education.
Some parents have taken to social media to voice their concerns about the high fees charged by private schools in Hyderabad. They have accused these schools of being money-making machines, rather than institutions that are dedicated to providing quality education.
The state government has attempted to regulate private school fees by issuing guidelines. However, these guidelines have been flouted by many private schools in Hyderabad. The government has also set up a committee to investigate complaints of high fees charged by private schools.
However, the committee has not been very effective in resolving this issue. Parents have alleged that the committee is biased towards private schools and does not take their complaints seriously.
The lack of regulation and oversight of private schools in Hyderabad has led to a situation where they can charge exorbitant fees with impunity. This has put a huge financial burden on parents, many of whom are struggling to make ends meet.
Despite several notices, pleas and requests, the issue of high fees charged by private schools in Hyderabad is a longstanding problem that has yet to be resolved. The state government needs to take a more proactive role in regulating private school fees and ensuring that they provide value for money. Parents also need to be more vocal about their concerns and demand transparency in the fee structure of private schools. Only then can we hope to bring about real change in the education system in Hyderabad. #hydnews #khabarlive
