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Time of India
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Parents raise objection to fee hike by private schools in state
Ranchi: The Jharkhand Parents' Association has expressed displeasure over the arbitrary steep hike in fees, illegal re-admission charges , and annual fees being collected by private schools across the state. Association president Ajay Roy has strongly opposed the increasing fees of education. He has urged the state govt to immediately halt all forms of additional and illegal fee collection until a clear and transparent policy is put in place. According to Roy, despite the education minister and the school education and literacy department issuing directions to all district deputy commissioners to take strict action under the Jharkhand Education Tribunal (Amendment) Act 2017, the law continues to be violated openly. Transparency in the formation and functioning of the Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) was mandated under the Act, yet many schools have ignored this requirement. Rai said the administration has remained a mute spectator while parents are being burdened without consent or accountability. Roy said, "A reputed private school in Ranchi increased annual fees by 30% for the 2024–25 academic session without any PTA meeting or parental consent. When parents raised objections, they were reportedly threatened with de-registration of their children, which the Association termed as outright harassment and a violation of parental and student rights." "Similarly, a school in Jamshedpur was found demanding Rs 15,000 as a re-admission fee from existing students. A protest will be organised across the state," Roy added.
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Schools revise timings as heatwave grips city
Ranchi | Jamshedpur: Rising temperatures have forced a few schools in Ranchi and Jamshedpur to modify their class timings, while others await govt orders. Several schools in the capital city start classes early to avoid peak heat hours. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Bishop Westcott Girls Schools (Namkum and Doranda) and Bishop Westcott Boys School Namkum have shifted from 7.30am-12.30pm to 6:30 am-11:30 am schedule. Oxford Public School and Saraswati Shishu Vidya Mandir begin classes at 7:00 am and end at 1pm instead of their regular 8am-2pm. Firayal Public School and DAV Alok will hold classes from 7am to 1pm from next Monday, an hour before their regular hours. Institutions, including Jawahar Vidya Mandir Shyamali, Delhi Public School, DAV Public School Bariatu, Surendranath Centenary School, and Cambrian Public School, are awaiting the deputy commissioner's directive on the issue. "The timing revision primarily aims to avoid peak heat hours and prevent heat-related illnesses among students. Early classes ensure a more comfortable learning environment," said Ravi Shekhar, academic coordinator, Oxford Public School. Ranchi-based Jharkhand Parents' Association president Ajay Roy said, "We requested schools to revise their timings. While some schools await the DC's order, we urge prompt action for students' welfare." Schools are adopting different strategies based on their specific needs and student demographics. In Jamshedpur, several English-medium schools, including Loyola School Jamshedpur, DBMS English High School, Vidya Bharati Chinmaya School, Carmel Junior College, Kerala Public School Kadma, and St. Mary's English School Bistupur, have revised their timings from 6:30 am-1.30 pm to 6.30 am-11:45 am. Loyola School principal Fr Vinod Fernandez said that while senior section classes were previously held until 1:30 pm, the rising temperatures prompted the shift to morning hours. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Parents' body urged the govt to issue a notification mandating morning shifts for both private and govt schools. "The education department should also direct schools to maintain adequate stocks of oral rehydration solution (ORS) packets and ice packs," said Jamshedpur Abhibhavak Sangh president Umesh Kumar. Parents expressed concern about transportation difficulties during peak heat hours. "Children travelling in overcrowded pick-up vans and auto-rickshaws face discomfort in the hot weather conditions, while those on bikes are directly exposed to the blazing sun," said Tarkeshwar Kumar, a parent. St Mary's English School principal Vernon D'Souza on Wednesday told students to stay hydrated. School spokesperson A K Pandey said they have arranged adequate water containers, ice packs, and ORS packets. District civil surgeon Dr Sahir Pall said hospitals have been directed to set up ORS corners and maintain stocks of essential medicines, ice packs, and intravenous fluids in response to the rising temperatures. The Ranchi office of the India Meteorological Department said the maximum temperature is expected to remain at 43°C til April 26. The city recorded 43°C on Tuesday, which rose to 46.2°C on Wednesday.
