18 December,2020 12:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
This picture has been used for representational purposes
Over 200 schools in Mumbai and Thane suspended online classes on Thursday in protest over non-payment of fees. The management of these schools, which comprised mostly of budget private unaided ones, said they were unable to make ends meet as a majority of the parents have not paid fees in the current academic year.
Also Read: Filipino girl orders food online, 42 riders arrive with parcels at home
According to a report in Times of India, school managements and parents have been at loggerheads over fee payment since the onset of the COVID-19 lockdown. Demanding that schools must provide fee discounts as physical classes are suspended, parents said they are facing financial difficulties.
Schools, on the other hand, claimed that their outgoings have only marginally dipped and would, in fact, increase to meet the safety norms when classes resume.
ALSO READ
Special | Maharashtra assembly elections: Who’s the real NCP in Mumbra-Kalwa?
Maharashtra assembly elections: Want unity, not CM post, says Uddhav Thackeray
Maharashtra assembly elections likely only after Diwali
Raut defends Uddhav's push for decision on CM's face from MVA allies
Long queues at voting centres as first ever hawkers polls in city begin
Schools affiliated to the Private Unaided School Management Association and the Federation of Schools Association of Maharashtra did not hold online classes to gather support for their campaign, 'No Fees, No School'.
Also Read: Couple steals computers worth Rs 1.4 lakh from BMC school
Bharat Mallik, vice-president of the federation, said, "We hope to receive the support from all in helping unaided schools to survive this crisis." He further said, "Our teachers, who have kept the learning continued, are impacted because of non-payment of fees. Their salaries have been cut by more than 50 per cent since the last eight months. Unaided schools are unable to continue the learning process as their reserves have been depleted."
According to the associations, less than 50 per cent of parents pay fees in most schools.
Read the latest crime stories in Mumbai and rest of India
Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates.
Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news
