Manipur: School fees row continues, AMSU stands against 30% fees from students

Imphal: Imphal: The All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU) is firm on their stand in opposing collection of 30 per cent monthly fees by all private schools students in the state.

On Tuesday, AMSU HRD secretary Bruce clearly stated that all the private schools and all types of schools in the state should not collect monthly fees from the students because every sector in the state is struggling due to the pandemic.

“It seems like the government is quite incompetent and have not been able to address this issue. They should have been able to take a stand on school fees during the pandemic lockdown,” said Bruce.

The students union feels that private schools and the government should manage the salaries of teachers without burdening the parents.

AMSU has appealed school managements to stop pressurising parents for monthly fees till an amicable solution is reached.

AMSU has threatened to go on a democratic agitation against private schools collecting fees during the pandemic lockdown.

Also Read: Parents refuse to pay school fees in Manipur

We also want the Manipur government to accept the request put through by AMSU in the interest of the students’ community, in particular, he added.

Earlier, AMSU, the apex students’ body in the state, locked up the office gate of the Directorate of Education (S) in Lamphelpat, Imphal West, in protest against the order issued on October 5.

The order, signed by the Commissioner of Education (S), Government of Manipur, T. Ranjit Singh, directed all private and government-aided schools to collect 30 per cent of the fees from April 2020 till date.

The students union termed the order from the state government, “incompetent and illogical.”

The body further pointed out that an earlier order by the government asking all private schools to submit their fee structure was only complied to by 50 per cent of the private schools. Yet no action has been taken against defaulters.

As per reports, around 1,200 recognised private schools are operating across the state.

“We also want the private school teachers who always deprived of their rights to come out and put forward their demands,” appealed the union.

Since last week of March, the state government has announced the closure of all educational institutions amid the pandemic as a precautionary measure to avert from further spread of COVID-19.

Also Read: Manipur: All pvt schools resolve to reopen from Oct, collect 50% tuition fee