Free education from KG to PG: Schools and parents are a confused lot

Before the elections, KCR announced that if his party TRS came to power, he would make education compulsory and free. He said that the government would support students from KG to PG.

“The government has come to power and it is time to fulfil its promises,” says Anirudh, a parent who was standing at the fee counter of Little Flower High School.

Several parents are confused and have no clue if the government will implement the promise of fee waiver. Principals of several schools are talking to the education department but there are no clear guidelines.

Sujata Roy, principal, St AMBROSE School, said, “We have no guidelines and we will go as per procedures. Parents will have to pay the fees if they want their child to study at the school.”

The principals of various schools are likely to meet KCR for clarity to the whole issue. They want a public statement from the government so that they can demand fees from the parents.

“Parents are getting news reports and requesting us to talk to the education department,” said Lalitha Devi, principal, Cambridge High School.

The general discussion among parents and teachers is that the government may not implement the promise of free education. It is a costly affair. Instead some sources in the education department say that the road map is being sketched to improve infrastructure, study pattern and teachers in existing government schools.

“This will pave the way for people of all sections to join their children in government aided schools than in expensive private institutions. This will pave the way for equality and thus there will be free education to those who join their children in these schools. But total fee waiver is not possible and may not be implemented,” say sources in the education department.

Education minister Jagadishwar Reddy says they are yet to hold a meeting on this issue.

“We will fulfil all promises made in our election manifesto but we can’t give any commitments at this point. It may be difficult to implement this year as the schools have already reopened and we are in the process of settling,” he said.

Anuradha Rao, secretary, Balala Hakula Sangham, is also requesting for a clarity on the issue.

“Parents are a confused lot and they need to plan their finances much ahead of time as private institutions are so expensive. They might not have saved believing the government will pay Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 which is a lot of money for a middle class family,” she said.