In the No Fee order aftermath, Private Schools in Gujarat suspend online classes

Vinod Kakumanu
Aug. 4, 2020, 1:54 p.m.

It is reported that the private schools in Gujarat have decided to suspend online classes indefinitely in the wake of the order by the government that directed them to not collect fee until they physically reopen.

The notification was issued by the government in mid-July directing unaided schools to not charge tuition fees while they are observing the lockdown. Furthermore, the schools were directed not to increase the annual fee in the 2020-21 academic year.

As expected, the schools were in disagreement with the recent directions and nearly 15000 schools in the state responded by suspending the online classes which had begun in the beginning of July.

The schools notified the parents of their decision through an SMS.

Self-financed School Management Association's spokesperson Dipak Rajyaguru stated that hardly any unaided school is continuing with the online classes after a joint decision was taken.

Mr. Rayaguru said that the government is refraining from considering online education as real education, therefore the entire online campaign loses its meaning and the schools are right in suspending online classes. He further said that the association is planning to go to the high court to challenge the government directive.

Other members of the association defended the suspension of online classes stating that no other state has demanded waiver of tuition fees from private schools and it is impossible to pay teachers and sustain operations if they unconditionally waive tuition fees.