Community schools under pressure

TO AVOID PAYMENT of dues, parents often shift their kids to other schools. Under the present conditions, these community schools are in trouble and are unable to pay building rentals, salaries, electricity bills etc.

The future of private educational institutions seems to be precarious given the prolonged shutdown of the schools in the wake of Covid-19.

The most affected group is those which cater to the poor and lower middle class sections. They are facing uncertainty with their managements saying they are not in a position to bear the losses.

Neighbourhood or community schools, which also employ staff from the area, depend on the monthly fee paid by parents to survive. These parents come from the low middle income group or very poor families.

State coordinator of the National Independent Schools Alliance (NISA), Dr Mohammed Anwar, said it was not uncommon for parents sending children to such schools not to be able to pay the fee on time.

To avoid payment of dues, parents often shift their kids to other schools. Under the present conditions, these community schools are in trouble and are unable to pay building rentals, salaries, electricity bills etc.

The association requested the state government to come forward to help the poor students and ensure that they can continue their education.

The association demanded the allocation of a special budget of `1,500 crore as financial support to budget and community schools and waiving student fees for April, May and June as parents are not in a position to pay.

Sultan Ahmed, secretary, Reliance High School, Jahanuma, said there was pressure on schools not to collect the fees. He asked “If we do not collect the fee, how we can pay the salaries of staff ?”

He said the salary component and building rents take up about 75 per cent of the school’s income.