Private Schools To Increase Rates After The Department's Directive On Minimum Wage

The administrations of many private schools in the city are raising rates for the 2019-2020 academic year after the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) stipulated a minimum monthly salary for teaching and non-teaching staff.

While the Associated Administration of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka (KAMS) opposed the measure and asked the government to withdraw the address, many private schools, which say they are obliged to implement the order, have decided to increase the annual enrollment and monthly registration.

The schools are also reflecting on the fact that some extracurricular activities are optional, since they anticipate that many parents will not be able to afford the cost of these activities once the fees are raised.

"Walk is going to pinch the parents"

P.M. Sathyanarayana, secretary of the Presidency's International English Primary School on Magadi Road, said they would have to increase fees exorbitantly. "The rate increase will be calculated if the schools have some student strength. Many schools have around 15 to 20 students in a class. So, an increase in the rate will pinch the parents. I know that once you raise the fees, half will take a transfer certificate from the school, "he said.

A member of the management of a private school in Rajajinagar said: "We charge an annual tuition fee of ₹ 10,000 and a monthly fee of ₹ 1,600. We cannot afford to pay teachers a higher salary. Most of our teachers also have very few years of experience. Once they teach for a few years, they go to other schools that can pay them a higher salary. "The department has stated that, according to the RTE Law, elementary school teachers must receive a minimum payment of 25,800 per month, high school teachers ₹ 33,450, non-teaching staff - first division employee ₹ 27,650, second division employee ₹ 21,400, and employees of group D of group ₹ 17,000.

D. Shashi Kumar, general secretary of KAMS, said that they would have to increase the tariffs between 200 and 300% if they had to follow the instructions of the department. "Children who attend schools like ours, which are classified as low budget schools, belong to lower middle class families. His parents will not be able to endure such an exorbitant walk. "Parents are against moving in. Karthik S., whose daughter is studying at a school in southern Bengaluru, said:" We know that the school our Many of the teachers have not even completed the teacher training course and are paid ₹ 10,000.We agree to send our daughter to this school, since we cannot afford a higher fee. "

Malathi S., a member of a parent-teacher association, said: "The department should stop interfering and insist that a fixed salary be paid to the staff. "Teachers who do not have the proper qualification will be paid less and those with more qualifications and experience will be paid more," he said.

By: Preeti Narula

Content: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/student-fees-may-rise-as-private-schools-asked-to-hike-staff-salaries/articleshow/68870514.cms