Can the SSSA Help in Fixing School Fees?
The National Education Policy-2020 (NEP-2020) introduces the concept of the State School Standards Authority (SSSA) to ensure transparency and continuous assessment of schools. But can this mechanism also address the issue of regulating school fees?
The SSSA is designed to establish a transparent school rating system in every State and Union Territory. Its primary responsibility is to create a School Quality Assessment and Accreditation Framework (SQAAF). This framework evaluates schools objectively and publicly shares their performance. The aim is to improve accountability and promote quality in the education system.
One of the key roles of the SSSA is to make essential regulatory information about schools available to the public. By doing this, parents and communities can easily access details about school performance. The SSSA goes beyond just academics and considers factors like infrastructure, teaching practices, student well-being, and inclusiveness in its assessments. Each state will have its own SSSA, allowing it to tailor evaluations based on local needs and contexts.
The goal of the SSSA’s school ratings is to identify strengths and weaknesses in schools, encouraging them to improve continuously. This mechanism also has the potential to involve various stakeholders, such as parents, teachers, school management, and students, in discussions. The SSSA can provide directions to schools based on these inputs, promoting better practices.
However, concerns remain about exorbitant school fees. Many schools charge extra fees for activities like swimming and horse riding or mandate that students purchase lunch, books, and uniforms only from the school. Such practices have been a major source of complaints from parents.
The Hyderabad School Parents Association (HSPA) has consistently raised these issues, accusing schools of exploiting parents by charging high fees. The association has been advocating for effective legislation to address what it calls a “private school menace” in the state.
The SSSA, with its focus on transparency and quality, may serve as a platform to address these concerns. By incorporating fee-related evaluations and ensuring fair practices, the SSSA could become a crucial tool for improving the overall education system while protecting parents from unfair financial burdens.
