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Punjab government to appeal against High Court's decision on school fees

July 01, 2020 07:48 PM

Chandigarh, July 01 || Punjab Government is going to appeal to the double bench of Punjab and Haryana High Court against the decision of single bench regarding collection of fees by private schools for the period of lockdown. This was informed by Punjab Education Minister Vijay Inder Singla today.

During a press conference at his office at Punjab Civil Secretariat, Singla said that the Punjab government respects the decision of the High Court but in view of the adverse impact on the occupation and livelihood of the people due to lockdown, the state government will appeal to the court to reconsider its decision.

He said that the High Court in its judgment has accepted five arguments of the Punjab government and the ones which were not accepted by the court would be further submitted for reconsideration. He said that in the interest of all parties involved in the case such as parents, teachers, staff, school administrators and others, the Punjab government would take up the matter before court by filling LPA. The Letter Patents Appeal (LPA) will be filed within the next two or three days, he added.

He  said that the Punjab government’s decision for private schools such as ensuring 100 per cent salary to the teaching and non-teaching staff during the lockdown, not to lay off any teacher or staff, not to increase the fees for the academic session 2020-21, making arrangements for monthly or quarterly payments of fees, waiving fees or considering concession regarding children of financially distressed parents, not depriving children from online or regular education for non-payment of fees, have been upheld by the court.

He said that those schools, which have provided or are providing online education during the lockdown, may charge tuition fee only that is fees other than building charges, transportation charges, charges for meals and others was not upheld by the court.

Besides this, the court didn’t give any observation regarding the decision that the department may take any other measures when needed justifying the overall interest of the school. He said that these points would be further submitted before the court.

 

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