Imlisanen Phom
Schools and colleges have been closed on and off since last year. Yet it is being noticed that even during the lockdown both government and private education institutes were charging full fees without concession. In this time of unparallel economic blackout, the education institutions could demonstrate some love and care towards its students and their parents. This pandemic time will test the true colour of all education institution. Some education institutions have decided to waive off around 50% of the fess. This is a noble gesture. Other institutions should also do the same considering the situation we are all in.
1. Education institution must NOT charge for facilities NOT USED by the students
As all education institutions were closed last year and even this year many facilities like school class room, ceiling fans, air-condition in some schools and colleges, school book library, school science laboratory, music class, swimming class, generator, paper, stationeries and other facilities were not used by the students. Yet all these have been charged from the students. Even when the schools were opened and students were attending class in alternate days the fess were charged for full classes. Henceforth, fees for all unused facilities must not be included until they are used again. Many parents are not finically stable. Some parents are vegetable sellers, some auto drivers, street food sellers, daily wage earners etc. Whatever may be the financial position of the student’s parent, education institutions charging for facilities not being used by the students is not legal in the eyes of the law. I would not be surprised if some parents from Nagaland move the court as done by a group of parent from other states in India who have moved the Supreme Court in relation to Covid-19 related school fees, online class cyber bullying and sexual exploitation.
2. Noble gesture of retuning the charged amount for facility not used
Education institutions should demonstrate the noble gesture of retuning the charged amount for facilities not used by the students. This should apply to both government and private schools across the State. It is the right thing and the right time to do it. This would give great relief and comfort for the parents/guardians. Such demonstration of noble gesture would teach the students how to be noble in hard times should their turn come to help someone in need. Some education institutions have decided to charge only 50% fees. This is very good news. However even these education institutions who have agreed to charge only 50% fees if they had in the past charged the students for the facilities not used by the students then the amount for such unused facilities must be retuned till the time when the 50% fees consideration was approved. Or the same amount can be adjusted for in the remaining balance of fees.
3. Flexible tuition fee payment system
It is being noticed that some education institutions are asking the parents for advance clearance of the student’s fees. In these pandemic times educations institutions can come up with temporary fee payment system where parents would be asked to pay only a month fee and not for three months tuition fees in advance. Some parent have six children who are studying and some even more, imagine how much three months advance payment of school fee for six students will be. The education institutions must consider many of the school children parents who have lost their jobs and are in very bad financial shape.
4. Teachers should be paid full salary
If the WhatsApp circulation that private teachers are paid half salary is true then it is a sad thing. The education institutions are collecting full fees even for those facilities not used by the students like mentioned earlier like for school library, science labs, fans, AC, generator etc. However, when it comes to paying the teachers the teachers are paid half salary. This is not a noble practice. It is clear that the only facilities the education institutions are providing in full are the virtual class through its teachers. Hence, the teachers must be paid in full.
5. Teachers must dress appropriately and Not miss classes
There have been some reports that some teachers are not dressing properly and using very harsh words when correcting students. Some male teachers have been reported by parents to be only wearing a sleeveless vest (half banyan) without any shirts on. This is an ugly picture. This could be very disturbing for female as well as male students. Such dressing is not appropriate for classroom setting either it be online or offline class. Parents see such teaches in their children online class but fear to complain because they think their children may become a targeted for such complains. There are also reports that teachers would say that there will be class at certain day and time and they would not come online and not take class without any advance notice.
In these pandemic times we should all lend our hand for help in any way we can. Both government and private schools have produced some of the finest students who are in high responsible position in Government as well as private jobs in Nagaland and around the world. My respect to all the education institutions for their outmost dedication. It is also my humble request to consider plight of the students and parents in this time of turmoil. God bless us all.
