Lokmat News Network
Aurangabad, July 6:
Hundreds of children whose parents died of Covid 19 will get free education, uniforms and stationery in English schools across the State.
The Maharashtra English Schools Trustees Association (MESTA) which has 18,000 members in the State, took the decision of free education to such students.
The Association also decided to give a 25 pc concession in fees to students because of Covid situation.
Talking to this newspaper, MESTA president Sanjayrao Tayade Patil said that the schools which members of the Association would provide free education from nursery to 12th class to students who have lost parents due to Covid.
Around 80 per cent of English schools are members of the association across the State. There is a continuous demand from parents to give concession in fees because of job losses, salary cuts and impact on business. A meeting of the MESTA was held recently. It has 18,000 members in the State, including 3500 from Marathwada.
He said that the schools are finding it difficult to pay building rent, electricity bills, and pending loan insallments due to financial problems since parents are not paying the fees.
He said that some politicians are targeting English schools through some parents to remain in the limelight.
“After creating nuisance at schools, such type of elements blackmail the schools' management. It is very unfortunate. Those parents who are in Government or private service and getting regular salary should pay fees. Parents are also taking a stand of ‘wait and watch’ and refusing to pay the fees,” he said.
Tayade Patil said that parents and schools management run the education with understanding and social benefit.
“Around 400 students from the different parts of the State have registered for free education in the nearest school of their town or village. We will also provide free uniform and stationery through non-government organisations or general people of the area,” he said.
The other office-bearers of the association said that the State Government had not refunded the fees of those students who were admitted in the schools during the last three years on 25 per cent reserved seats under the Right to Education (RTE) Act in the State.
“Fee refund in crores of rupees of the schools is pending with the Government. On the other hand, parents do not pay the fees. How to run the schools in such a situation is a question before us. Schools too need money to pay rent, electricity bills salary. Who will be responsible if schools are shut down,” they asserted.