COVID-19 impact: Maharashtra govt directs schools not to collect fees during lockdown

The Education Ministry of Maharashtra banned the collection of fees in all the schools of the state until the lockdown gets over.

The Education Ministry of Maharashtra banned the collection of fees in all the schools of the state until the lockdown gets over. According to the reports, Maharashtra Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad informed all the students and parents of the state that the Government issued orders to all the schools of the state not to collect any fee amid the lockdown period. Amid extended lockdown due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, all the educational institutions are closed in the state. In the midst of this health and economic crisis, the schools started demanding fees as many of them are conducting virtual classes to prevent the academic loss of the students.

Informing the parents about the ban, the education minister asked them to report to the District Education Officer in the primary or secondary office, in case they are forced to pay the fee by any school or educational institute of the state.

Here’s what the education minister tweeted regarding the ban on the collection of school fee in Maharashtra:

The state government took the decision due to the spread of the pandemic in the country. Maharashtra with more than 3,000 positive coronavirus cases, has become one of the hotspots of the virus spread. In order to contain the virus spread and tackle this health emergency, the government ordered the closure of all the academic institutions, workplaces, tourist spots, religious places and more. After the lockdown, many cases of schools pressurizing parents and students for fee payment started coming up which made the state government take stern steps against the same.

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