For many parents of school-going children in Hyderabad, there’s finally a reason for cheer as another city school has fallen in line with government regulations on admission fees. In response to a petition filed by the Hyderabad Schools Parents' Association (HSPA) in the High Court in January 2016, the Kangaroo Kids school in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad implemented a drastic cut in its admission fees on Monday.
Kangaroo Kids is the most recent school to cut down its admission fees after schools like Glendale Academy and Manthan reduced their fees in keeping with the rules set by the government order GO MS 91 of 2009.
Many parents say that they have often faced feigned ignorance from school authorities that any such rule (GO MS 91) existed. And when the relevant portions of the rules were pointed out, the authorities would raise arguments against the validity of the rules.
The series of climbdowns by schools in the city, has therefore come as a very heartening shift for these parents.
Ashish Naredi, a member of the HSPA, told The News Minute, "It is remarkable that the HSPA has managed to get several schools to reduce their admission fees from thousands and lakhs of rupees to just Rs 5000.”
However, many of these parents are also deeply angry with the government, which they feel has failed to properly follow up on the implementation of the rule. Ashish adds, “The government, in stark contrast to its public posturing in favor of the parents, continues to play spoilsport. It is difficult to understand why the government is still not taking up implementation of the same rules across all other schools.”
"Not to be discouraged, HSPA filed a PIL on the implementation of the said rules – finally leading to the implementation of the fee limit in several schools," Ashish adds.
Sachin, another HSPA member told TNM, "It is extremely heartening to see schools starting to comply with government orders to put a cap on admission fees. This is much needed and all schools should follow. I only hope that schools don't adjust the amount by increasing the year-on-year fees. We are thankful to the HSPA for voicing parents' concerns."