Schools up in arms over govt. demand for sports fees

A circular issued to government, aided, and unaided schools has principals and management members bewildered as they have been asked to pay sports fees for two academic years – the period when physica

A circular issued to government, aided, and unaided schools has principals and management members bewildered as they have been asked to pay sports fees for two academic years – the period when physical classes for the most part had been cancelled and all activities had come to an abrupt halt due to the pandemic.

The Department of Public Instruction has asked all school managements to pay ₹5 per child for students in Classes VI and VII, and ₹15 for those in Classes VII, IX, and X. The circular issued by the Physical Education (Director) stated that schools should pay fees for 2020-21 and 2021-22 academic years as well as pending dues if any for 2019-2020.

School managements, many of whom are under financial constraints, are up in arms as they were allowed to only collect tuition fees for the 2020-2021 academic year and had to provide a discount on tuition fees.