In an interim order, the Karnataka High Court has directed the members of Association of India Schools, running central syllabus schools, and the state government not to take any coercive measures in the matter of payment of reduced fees.
Justice R Devdas asked the school managements to be considerate in the matter of those parents who pay lesser fees, than last year.
Meanwhile, the state government has also been directed not to initiate any coercive action against the schools on the basis of January 29, 2021 circular. Through the circular, the government reduced the fees payable for the present academic year to 70% of the fees charged during the previous academic year.
The associations, representing the managements of private schools as well as some individual schools, have challenged the January 29, 2021 directive. The petitions were filed by Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka (KAMS), Karnataka State Minorities Educational Institutions Managements Federation and others.
The petitioners claimed that some parents have stopped paying fees as the circular bars from taking any coercive action. They also contended that though the government permitted collection of 70% tuition fees, in actual calculation, it comes to only 50% as there are no admission fees and other charges collected by the schools for the academic year 2020-21. The schools claimed that they are spending more on online teaching, which is continuing for more than six months
On Wednesday, the court posted further hearing to March 24.
The court indicated that the prayer for interim relief will be considered on the next date of hearing. It also directed the government to file a statement of objections.