UT Education Department to Look into Soaring Fees of 'Quality Education' in Chandigarh

December and January are the most dreaded months for any parent in Chandigarh whose little one is all set to step into formal education. The mind-boggling hunt for admission forms, the confounding admission rules, the tremendous pressure to impress the schools, the sleepless nights waiting for admission lists – all the magical experience of being a parent turns into a nightmare!

If any stressor was amiss, the gigantic bills fill in all.

According to statistics, admission to one of the top private schools in the city costs whopping Rs 2,00,000 to Rs 4,00,000 per annum on an average, while getting an MBA degree from Panjab University costs less than Rs 25,000 per annum. 

Not just admission fee, tuition fee and transportation expenses, several schools have put expenses under different heads, including registration charges, development fund, caution money and miscellaneous expenses.

Fees of the Prominent Schools in Chandigarh

Name of the School Fees
Strawberry Fields High School, Sec 26  Rs 1,23,000
Gurukul Global School, IT Park Rs 83,630
Ryan International School, Sec 49 Rs 79,900
Delhi Public School, Sec 40 Rs 64,450
Vivek High School, Sec 38 Rs 51,500
St Kabir Public School, Sec 26 Rs 46,250

 

Then, there are fun trips, annual and sports day celebrations, festival celebrations, along with sundry other days that are celebrated with aplomb in most schools – all, at the cost of parents’ hard-earned money.

Other expenses:

Admission fee Rs 25,000-Rs 80,000
Tuition fee Rs 3,000-Rs 6,000 per month
Transport Rs 1,000-Rs 1,200 per month
Uniforms  Rs 1,200-Rs 2,500 per set
Shoes Rs 400-Rs 2,000
School bags Rs 800-Rs 2,000
Water bottle Rs 400-Rs 1,200
Events/fun trips Rs 5,000-Rs 8,000 per annum
Stationery Rs 800-Rs 2,000
Books Rs 3,000-Rs 4,500

 

Thankfully enough, UT Education Department has decided to rein in the private schools over fee and other charges. It is in the process of scrutinising the Punjab Regulation of Fee of Unaided Educational Institution Bill, passed in December 2016.  The Director of School Education has been entrusted with the task of studying its features and recommending it to suit the requirements of the department with the Governor’s approval, after which it will be sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs for final approval to make it applicable to Chandigarh.

 

Source: The Tribune

Image Credits: Google Images