Assam government asks private schools to cut fees by 25% till reopening

New Delhi : The Assam Government has asked private schools to slash their monthly fees by 25 per cent for classes from preschool to Class XII till reopening of the schools, Education and Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

Sarma tweeted, "In view of Covid-19 pandemic, we have advised all private educational institutions to offer at least 25 per cent concessions in monthly fees (pre-primary to XII), from May 1 till formal opening of schools. These institutions are saving substantial expenditure under various heads."

Assam government Principal Secretary in-charge of Elementary and Secondary Education Department B. Kalyan Chakravarthy issued an order to private schools asking them to cut fees by 25%.

The order said: "In view of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Assam government is compelled to close the schools and colleges from March 16 and all the activities were under lockdown from March 23. The income of all the citizens of Assam has been badly affected and they are not in a position to afford payment of school fees till the lockdown period is over."

In his order he mentioned that due to lockdown restrictions, educational institutions are saving substantial expenditure on various heads, including energy charges on electrical consumptions, transport and vehicular operation, cost of meal in case of residential and boarding schools, sports and games, management and operation of laboratories, computers, reduction of expenses on cleaning and maintenance.