Posts cards to Chief Minister had evoked no response from government

With little response from the government on the ‘Postcard to Chief Minister’ campaign against the indiscriminate school fee hike, the Hyderabad School Parents Association (HSPA) has now decided to launch a sticker campaign to intensify their agitation.

The HSPA has prepared 10,000 stickers with two slogans — “CM Sir, Please Regulate School Fee” and “CM Sir, Please Stop School Fee Loot” and they will be put on the cars and autorickshaws to create pressure on the government.

Ashish Naredi from the HSPA said that they plan to launch the campaign at Somajiguda circle, a stone’s throw away from the Chief Minister’s residence, and also other parts of the city. “We were disappointed with no response from the government on the postcard campaign. But some MLAs have now assured us to take a HSPA delegation to the Chief Minister. We approached the Chief Minister’s Office and they have asked us to send a letter seeking appointment,” Mr. Naredi said.

Meanwhile, parents fighting against the indiscriminate school fee hike without any valid reasons are annoyed at the delay in submission of report by the committee headed by Prof. T. Tirupati Rao, former Vice-Chancellor of Osmania University. The committee held discussions with parents, schools representatives and also parents’ committees to form the guidelines for constitution of the District Fee Regulation Committees (DFRCs).

Report delayed

The Committee for which Commissioner and Director of School Education, G. Kishan is the Convenor, was to submit its report on April 20. It is, however, yet to be done. Parents say schools have increased the fee even as the committee was preparing its report. “We fear the report is being delayed to help the schools,” some parents alleged.

Parents also allege that schools are refusing to display the fee structure on their websites and also the school notice board for public view. When parents demand for receipt all that they get is a piece of paper. While the abnormal hike continues authorities are mum and parents feel helpless.

The HSPA, which has been spearheading the campaign against fee hike and a transparent procedure, says majority of schools have increased fee this year too ranging from 20% to 70% without showing any reason. Complaints to the Director of School Education on this have met with the statement that the committee will look into it.