CHANDIGARH: Supporting the Punjab Regulation of Fee of Unaided Educational Institutions (Amendment) Bill-2019 in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Thursday, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has emphasized more on further amendments and provisions.
Speaking on the Bill, MLA Kultar Singh Sandhwan described it as the need of the hour, saying that getting admission in private, un-aided schools and other educational institutions had gone out of reach of the common people, especially the poor, in view of the ‘exorbitant’ fees and other ‘unwanted’ expenses. Hapless parents and teachers teaching in these schools were being subjected to financially exploitation, he said.
He had a piece of advisory for the state government, suggesting that it should replicate the Kejriwal-led government model of education, adding that during past 4 years fees in private schools had not been allowed to be raised. He demanded that the approval of the Regulatory Body should be made mandatory for schools to hike fees.
Speaking on the occasion, Bibi Sarabjit Kaur Manuke said that all government and private schools should go for ‘one uniform’ norm. Raising the issue of the financial exploitation of teachers in the private schools, she said that the salary structure be regulated and the job security of the private school teachers be ensured.
While speaking on the Bill, Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly, Harpal Singh Cheema, emphasized on 25 per cent enrollment of the poor and ‘dalit’ students in private schools under the Right to Education Act (RTE). Referring to closure of some model schools in Boha (Mansa) town of Punjab, he expressed shock over the non-payment of monthly salaries to the teachers for several months.
Expressing her surprise over the issue, Bibi Sarabjit Kaur Manunke said that a model school at Mala (Jagraon) town was closed down under government’s orders yet as many as 600 students and staff were still attending the school. What would be the fate of teachers/ staff and students there when faced with such a predicament?, she sought a plausible answer