Strict action against schools collecting exorbitant fees, says Sengottaiyan

After conducting a detailed review meeting with his department to monitor various activities of the educational institutions including the implementation of Right to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) and collection of fees, the minister said “stringent action will be taken if any school is found collecting more fees than the specified rate,” he said. 

Stating that the issue had not come to his department’s notice, he said parents should immediately lodge a complaint with the district education officer so that he could take strict action against the schools. 

“The problem is that no one complains about it,” he added. Sengottaiyan also said that this year 1.3 lakh applications have been received online regarding admissions under RTE. 

“All the applications will be scrutinized and selected accordingly”. 

“Clear instructions were given to private schools that they should ensure that 25% admission are carried out through RTE,” he said additional actions will be taken against the schools, which do not admit eligible students under RTE. Sengottaiyan said block educational officers will monitor the implementation of 25% admissions as per the provisions of RTE Act 2009 in self-financed primary and middle schools. 

“In addition, he will also monitor the implementation of fee collection as per the orders of Tamil Nadu Private Schools Fee Determination Committee in self-financed primary and middle school,” he added. 

The minister said that this year his department would ensure that there are more admissions in the primary school level. He said distribution of new school uniforms and textbooks will be distributed to the students very soon free of cost at all government educational institutions. 

“The new uniforms will be at par with the private schools,” the minister said.