Mysore/Mysuru: Amid the uncertainty over re-opening date of Schools, the CBSE, ICSE & State Board Private School Managements Association (CISPMAM), Mysuru, has said that it will not hike nor reduce School fees this academic year (2020-21).

Addressing a press meet at MCCI (Mysuru Chamber of Commerce and Industry) Office on D. Devaraja Urs Road here yesterday, CISPMAM, Mysuru, President Sudhakar Shetty said that the Association has members from over 240 Schools in Mysuru, Kodagu, Mandya and Chamarajanagar districts. The COVID-19 induced lockdown has disturbed the academic calendar and the closure of Schools and Colleges has left the students and their parents a worried lot, he said. 

“Like all other sectors, the lockdown has badly affected the functioning of Schools. Some sections of the society have been demanding reduction in School fee this year as the income of parents have dwindled due to the lockdown. Considering the plight of parents, there will be no hike in fee this year,” he said and added that the School Managements are further burdened by the additional costs that will be incurred for taking extra precautionary and safety measures to ensure the health and safety of students in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.

Pointing out that there are over 40 lakh students studying in Government Schools and 36 lakh students in Private Schools in the State, he said that over 3 lakh staff were serving in Private Schools. The Government must take the Private School Managements into confidence before taking any policy decisions, he added.

Referring to the issue of online education, Sudhakar Shetty said that CISPMAM was opposed to online education in classes from LKG to Fifth standards. Arguing against holding online classes for children of such a tender age, he said that this will have an adverse impact on the mental and physical health of children and urged the Government to take action against Schools which are holding online classes.

CISPMAM office-bearers Radhakrishna, Ravindraswamy, Venkatesh, Swaroopini, Manjunath, Kumaraswamy and others were present at the press meet.