Meghalaya govt directs 50 per cent waiver in school fees for 3 months

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 8, 2020

The Meghalaya government has directed all government-aided schools in the state to waive 50 per cent school fees for the month of April, May and June.

The decision was taken at a review meeting chaired by the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday following the growing demand from several social and student organizations.

Addressing media persons, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said, “We have approved the proposal of the education department to waive 50 per cent school fees for three months from April to June. Therefore, all government-aided schools including deficit as well as deficit pattern schools are directed to reduce the monthly tuition fees by 50 per cent.”

Tynsong said the proposal was considered especially for students coming from poor families including BPL and those who are directly impacted by COVID-19 pandemic. “A notification in this regard will be issued in due course of time,” he added.

All educational institutions across the state have remained closed for nearly three months from March 17, to ensure safety of teachers and students from the contagious disease.

Tynsong said quite a number of petitions have been received from several quarters including parents and NGOs requesting the government to at least reduce or waive off the school fees during the closure period.

As far as privately run schools is concerned, the Deputy Chief Minister however said except for tuition (or school) fees, the private schools cannot charge other additional fees like computer fees or library fees for these three months from students belonging to poor families.

Asked, Tynsong said the state government has directed the education department to take up the matter with all private schools for reducing the school fees.

“The department will work out and try to convince the private schools if 50 per cent of tuition fees can be reduced by them,” he said.