Maharashtra schools allowed to hike fees

Educating her child in Mumbai has just got more expensive for Avesha Kulkarni. The Bombay High court has allowed private un-aided schools to raise fees as they please, at least for this year.

A ruling that will affect lakhs of parents like her across Maharashtra and comes just months after another ruling where the court struck down arbitrary hikes.

"Very disheartening that the court is giving such contradictory and confusing orders one after another," said a parent.

Wednesday's order comes in response to a plea from parents led by M S Deshmukh. They challenged the over 100 per cent hike in his child's fees by a Navi Mumbai school.

"We only want some level of parity in fees. Government schools charge so little, private schools charge so much," said Prof M S Deshmukh, petitioner.

The state government's told the court, it's working on rules to regulate fees charged by private un-aided institutions - a move that those schools have opposed.

They say the government does not support them, hence cannot regulate their fees.

State vs private schools

• State working on rules to regulate fees
• State regulation opposed by private schools
• Private schools: government cannot regulate fees

"If teachers were getting 8,000 to 10,000, after the 6th Pay Commission it's a major hike up to Rs 20,000. If we have to pay our teachers where else will schools get the money but from fees?" asked Vandana Lulla, Principle and Director, Poddar World School.

At least this academic year, private schools will be free to charge their own fees and prepare for what promises to be a long battle ahead.