Dr Ramma Raina Mattoo,
Spokesperson,
Private Schools’ Association Jammu<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“NO SCHOOL-NO FEES”
As a result of the pandemic schools were closed down as well which resulted in a debate whether Parents are liable to still continue to pay School fees. This is the hot topic now-a-days therefore I want to share my thoughts to the parent community as I am a private school principal for the last two decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A) FEES: What is Tuition Fees?
According to the dictionary
Fees is defined as: A payment made to a professional person or to a professional or public body in exchange for advice or services.
I would like to state that according to me one cannot place a price tag on Tuition\/Education, it is priceless! Students will always be indebted to their teachers, they can never ‘pay’ them in return for what they have been taught. A Teacher pours her life into the lives of the young children entrusted to her care.
Fees that is paid by parents is only to keep School system functioning so that Teachers and school infrastructure is taken care of.
I would further like to question the parents regarding the expectations they have from the school right from the time they drop their child in the school bus to when the child returns.
Parents have paid Tuition fee so that the prescribed curriculum by the Education board is taught to their child. Tuition fee does not cover the following that the school deals with:
1) Making sure the child has eaten his breakfast or lunch.
2) Behavioral issues – Disciplining
3) Health and wellbeing & Daily Cleanliness habits
4) Emotional outbursts of Teenagers
5) Moral behaviour in society
6) Watch for substance abuse or any bad habit
7) Inculcating Virtues
8) Ensuring Integrity, Punctuality, Honesty
9) Empathy by Teacher
10) Emotional investment instilling self-esteem and confidence
11) Putting up with your child’s tantrum and moods
12) Counseling in times of mental distress
13) Teaching life skills
14) Being available on the phone after school hours
15) Motivating towards learning<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The above points are not covered in the School fees as the services you are given are important and cannot be translated into monetary value.
Sad to state holistic education that schools provide is not valued anymore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
B) Students have not attended their school that’s why parents are refusing to pay their child’s fee. Since the system has placed a price tag and a nominal amount is paid to the school. I would like to clear misconception regarding the enrollment of the student. It is valid for a particular class only provided the fees is paid to the educational institution. Schools have rules regarding fee defaulters. A student has not paid school fees, the school is not expected to conduct exams or provide Progress card or even Discharge certificate for the particular Academic session. The Teachers and the Support staff of the school are not ‘daily wagers’. The school has to sustain itself to be able to provide education services whether students attend school or not. Their enrollment in a particular school is only considered valid if they have paid the prescribed dues to the school from time to time or as per prescribed schedule. With the mindset you display explanation compared to the mobile phone service should make you understand. Think about it in those terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
C) Criticism of School and Teachers in front of Students has a detrimental impact on the children. Children are being exposed to debates on mass media and criticism by adults in the presence of their children. School managements are being hurled abuses and degraded. The pedestal that every child places their Principal and Teachers has crashed into smithereens. Tomorrow when schools reopen, do you think your child will respect his Teachers and be attentive in classroom or even be motivated towards learning. A student who watches his parents shout at school authorities will do the same to his Teachers in class and the day is not far when the Teacher will be replaced by the parent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
D) School Management is liable for many other expenditure besides Salary of school staff. To be able to function as a registered Educational institution rules and regulations have been put in place by the Govt for which fees\/taxes has to be paid to various departments viz. Labour deptt, Municipality, Education board etc. as well as monthly Utility Bills.
The school cannot vanish in thin air during a shutdown and appear once again when conditions are favorable for your convenience. The school exists on the same planet Earth as you and is affected by inflation or any other condition just like you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In my opinion the reason that parents are raising hue and cry over the issue of school fees clearly signifies Parents apathy towards ethical values leading to moral degradation.
I would like to sum up with an incident.
In Value Education class, Teacher asked students whether they would give up their seat for an elderly lady in the bus. A student replied, “My mum would say don’t give up your seat as I have paid the fare for you”. What is of more importance to a parent is clearly seen in this incident.
Schools managements are not begging for the school dues to be paid. They deserve to be treated with dignity and respect as they are the ones who are Nation builders. They are the ones who look after your child for the maximum part of the day.
Times are hard and this too shall pass, but will you be able to look your child’s teacher or principal in the eye? It will depend whether you have a calloused conscience and what you want to model for the children.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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