Will probe fee hike by pvt schools: Ram Bilas

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 29

Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma said today that the issue of hike in fee by private schools without prior notice would be probed and they would have to withdraw the decision.

Sharma was interacting with mediapersons here today.

In reply to a question about the schools charging money from parents or guardians in the name of building fund, transport and uniform, the minister said the practice would be checked.

“Priority of the present government is to provide quality education to the wards of poor people,” he said.

He said private school operators had been directed to give 10 per cent seats to poor students under Rule 134A. This year, there would not be any problem regarding admission under this rule, said Sharma.

He said the state government was constantly improving education standards in the state. A number of initiatives had been taken in this regard. “The Gita was made part of the school curriculum in 2015. Besides, emphasis is being laid on girl education. The laying of the foundation stones of 21 colleges by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on February 10 is a revolutionary step. This was in consonance with the commitment of the government towards girl education and the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao programme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. At that time, the sex ratio of the state was 834 girls. Now, it is 906,” said the minister.

On being asked to comment on the cases of copying in board examinations, he said the government had made concerted efforts to check the menace. Action was being taken against officials involved in such practices. “All the accused involved in the medical paper leak case at Rohtak last year have been arrested. In addition, educated panchayats are making efforts to prevent copying in exams,” he added.