States should think with compassion over the school fees issue: CBSE

Due to the nationwide lockdown implemented to prevent the spread of Covid-19, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has asked for ‘sensitivity and inclusiveness’ from the states and Union Territories on the issue of school fees payments and teachers’ salaries.

It is advised to consider keeping in mind. The central government has extended the lockdown implemented from March 25 to April 14 to May 3 to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection.

After the spread of pandemic worldwide due to coronavirus, most of the countries are in lockdown. India is in lockdown since March 25, 2020. All educational institutions in the country are shut, few of them with resources and top schools in big cities are taking online classes. But, a large number of students have been left out of this due to the lack of resources.

The payment of school fees for students studying in privates schools has become a hot topic of debate. Schools have staff to pay, until and unless they get the fess for the lockdown period from the students they won’t provide a salary to their staff. The respective state government in the country has been advised by the Central Board of Secondary Education to come up with some concrete plans.

CBSE Secretary Anurag Tripathi, in a letter to the Chief Secretaries of States and Union Territories, said, “Keeping in mind the current situation and difficulties faced by all parties related to schooling system due to the nationwide lockdown, it is advised to the State Governments that they come up with some concrete so that a lump sum payment is given to teachers and non-teaching staff and with the issue of school fees are handled with sensitivity and totality, keeping in mind the interests of all parties. ”

He said that the State and Union Territories can issue suitable instructions regarding the period of payment of school fees and payment of salaries to teachers and other allied employees which will be applicable during the period of the pandemic.