Wanaparthy: Many private schools are demanding extra fees from parents. If parents question these charges, schools often respond arrogantly, saying, “Study or cancel the admission.” This attitude is common in Pebbair, Kothakota, Atmakur, and Gopalpet. Education is treated as a business here, with schools focusing on profits rather than learning.
Parents face high costs for their children’s education from LKG to 10th grade. They pay for donations, fees, books, projects, and transportation, creating a heavy financial burden. The district has 172 private schools with about 44,169 students, including 25,514 boys and 18,655 girls. These schools operate with little oversight, charging high fees under labels like IIT Foundation, NEET Foundation, CBSE, and ICSE.
Schools justify their high fees by claiming they provide quality education and facilities. However, officials admit they cannot control these fees and blame school management for the issue. Schools are supposed to report their financials annually, but none do. They should deduct expenses like staff salaries and infrastructure from their income, declaring the rest as profit. Instead, they show inflated costs.
Each school should have a governing body with management, teachers, and parents to set fees based on the local economy. Schools must also submit annual financial and academic reports, but none have done so since opening. Authorities ignore these violations. Schools should have a playground of at least 700 sq m and adhere to fire safety norms. They must also reserve seats for underprivileged SC and ST students, offering them free education. However, not one school follows these rules, often operating in cramped buildings with limited access.
DEO Mohammad Abdul Gani stated, “If schools operate without permission, we will take legal action. We will enforce strict measures if any of the 172 private schools fail to follow government regulations.”
