Odisha govt directs private schools to reduce/defer fees until June

Odisha government has asked all the private schools in the state to reduce or defer the school fees from April to June. 

Odisha government has directed all the private schools in the state to reduce or defer the school fees from April to June. The order comes a day after Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had announced about the extension of the lockdown period to April 30, becoming the first state to do so. Schools, colleges and other educational institutions have also been ordered to remain shut till June 17.

The Chief Minister in a tweet today asked private schools around the state to be sympathetic while dealing with school fees. He also said that, this move will help the parents whose income has been adversely affected.

Administration authorities around the country have urged private schools not to pressurize parents for paying fees.

On April 4, the Haryana government had also asked all the private schools in the state to not pressurize parents to deposit any fees for their wards until the lockdown period is over.

Suhas L Y, District Magistrate, Gautam Budh Nagar had also ordered that no education institution across Noida and Greater Noida can force any parents of any student to pay fees during the coronavirus lockdown. He also said that no schools can bar students from attending online classes in case they have not given the fees. The violation of the order can attract legal action, entailing up to a year-long jail term or stringent fine, or both against the offender, he also said.