More than 300 complaints regarding fee hikes in K'taka schools prompt action from Child Rights Panel
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) has received numerous complaints this year from parents regarding abnormal fee hikes and unfair practices by several top private unaided schools in Bengaluru.
Most complaints relate to unjustified increases in school fees, lack of transparency in fee revisions, and pressure on parents to buy textbooks, uniforms, shoes, bags, and other materials from designated vendors. Following these complaints, the commission has issued notices to some of the schools, most of which are affiliated to the Central Board, Deccan Herald reported on Sunday.
Responding to the complaints, the commission has begun issuing notices. “We have received over 300 complaints this year and are taking action based on the seriousness of each case. On Wednesday, we issued notices to three schools run by a prestigious group in Central Bengaluru,” K. Naganna Gowda, chairperson of the commission, was quoted as saying by DH.
He added that the commission will write to the Commissioner for School Education to seek further action against institutions found violating provisions of the Right to Education (RTE) Act.
As per norms, private schools are allowed to increase fees by 10 to 12 percent annually. However, some schools have reportedly hiked fees by as much as 40 percent this year. "We have also registered a few suo motu complaints based on media reports about abnormal fee hikes. The government should take the issue of fee fixation seriously and monitor schools to determine the basis on which fees are being raised," Gowda said.
The commission is also reviewing complaints alleging that schools have harassed parents and punished children when requests were made for transfer certificates. In some cases, schools have reportedly withheld transfer certificates unless parents cleared the full year’s fees. Few complaints even allege instances of corporal punishment.
"We are verifying such cases, and if the allegations are proved during inquiry, we will recommend action as per the RTE Act," Gowda assured.
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Om Birla attends swearing-in of new B'desh PM, says India stands ready to support BNP govt
New Delhi (PTI): Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday attended the swearing-in ceremony of new Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka, and said India stands ready to support Bangladesh's endeavours to build a democratic, progressive and inclusive nation.
Separately, the speaker called on the new Bangladesh prime minister and conveyed the wishes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He also handed over an invitation from Prime Minister Modi to Rahman to visit India, officials said here.
“Glad to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new government of Bangladesh led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka today. India stands ready to support Bangladesh’s endeavours to build a democratic, progressive and inclusive nation,” Birla posted on X.
Bangladesh High Commissioner to India, Riaz Hamidullah, said in a post on X, “Prime Minister Tarique Rahman conveys his greetings to India and PM Narendra Modi to the visiting India Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla at a courtesy meet following the swearing-in of the new government.
“Speaker Birla conveyed wishes and an invitation to India. Both leaders expressed optimism to work together for the well-being of the people of Bangladesh and India, pursuing a people-centric menu of cooperation.”
Birla also met Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and other leaders on the sidelines of the event.
Led by Rahman, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) swept to power with a two-thirds majority with 49.97 per cent votes and 209 seats in the polls held on February 12, results for which were declared on February 13.
The Jamaat-e-Islami, which was opposed to Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan in 1971, registered its best-ever performance with 31.76 per cent votes and 68 seats.
The National Citizen Party (NCP) secured the third-highest number of seats, six, and 3.05 per cent votes.
Bangladesh had invited Narendra Modi to the ceremony, but the prime minister could not attend the event as he was scheduled to hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai on Tuesday.
On reaching Dhaka, Birla said the swearing-in of Rahman was an important moment that would strengthen people-to-people relations and shared democratic values between the two neighbours.
“Honoured to be in Dhaka representing India at the swearing-in ceremony of the new government led by Tarique Rahman as the prime minister. It's an important moment that will strengthen people-to-people ties and shared democratic values between our two nations,” Birla said.
Birla was accompanied by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and other officials.
