Should Schools reduce Fees since classes are happening Online
Due to Covid 19 pandemic, all schools and educational institutions are closed for safety reasons. Students are vulnerable to this disease. Hence Government has decided to keep Schools and all educational institutions shut. This forced Schools and Educational institutions to move to online classes. All related to education industry, be it school or educational institutions or teachers, everyone has put tremendous efforts to ensure that Students get their education. Schools have invested in infrastructure to ensure online studies are conducted seamlessly. Teachers have put extra efforts to create online content for education like Power point presentations and Videos. Students have also acquired new skills to study in new environment. We would like to say Big thanks to everyone who has directly or indirectly contributed towards education of students.
Schools have invested in infrastructure to ensure online studies are conducted seamlessly.
Despite these exceptional efforts, many parents asked us that Should Schools reduce their fees, as they are not incurring expenses in their offline setup. While investment has been made in online setup, but how does it compare with cost on offline setup. Has cost gone up or costs have reduced? Should there be a lump sum reduction in fees? Should Schools eliminate other charges like sports fees, library fees or any such elements in the fee structure, as they are not incurring these costs? There are many more questions like this.
While investment has been made in online setup, but how does it compare with cost on offline setup. Has cost gone up or costs have reduced?
Also Read: Should Schools and Colleges be open now?
On the other hand, Covid 19 pandemic has impacted entire society very badly. Government had announced economic package for various sections of the society. However, many people have lost jobs. We came across a story published by Indian Express written by Pallavi Singhal - “Covid-hit and unable to pay school fees, father of 2 faces tough time and questions: Eating food, aren’t you?” These are special situations, and we need to be sensitive towards people. In line with requests from parents, Delhi Government has requested Schools to track goodwill. Gujarat Government has also come forward and notified for 25% reduction in school fees. There are also incidences where schools have reduced fees on their own.
Many steps have been taken. But should there be uniform policy? What does parents and teachers think about fees reduction. What are their views? We thought to understand perspective of parents and teachers.
What does Parents and Teacher think?
86.2% of the parents and teachers suggest that Schools should reduce fees for this academic year. They have also mentioned reasons for their view. However, there are many parents who feel otherwise. Let’s have a look at what parents and teachers have to say on this subject.
Nidhi Wankhede mentions that Schools should reduce fees because of following reasons:
1. Students are attending classes over phone/Laptop only, so there is no point of taking bus transportation fees which school already adds with term fees
2. Other than academics, no other extra-curricular activities are happening
3. Some schools provide stationary items (for pre-primary and primary students), which are not taken by parents for their children.
She feels that schools should reduce at least 50% of their fees.
Kanak Khemlani says that Since Salaries are cut off, interest rates have reduced, internet and light bills have increased, and Schools are not functioning, Schools should reduce fees considering these factors.
Bina Sitlani states that their infrastructure cost has gone down. Electricity and manpower costs have gone down. On the other hand, parents’ cost has gone up. They need to buy a smart phone or laptop for the child. Hence Schools should reduce fees.
Monali Sadaphale feels that just like other people are getting paid, teachers & other staff must also get paid, since they are still working. Indirectly, they get paid when parents pay the fees. She adds that some part of fees can get reduced like transportation, mess etc. which are not incurred by Schools.
Joyce Azavedo cites that Schools have limited, if not nil students at the campus. This means 80% savings on utilities. Also, contractual support staff etc must be limited. No one is saying pay cuts for the teachers or any employees. However, schools must consider some concession.
Tarannum Khushi brings up important point. She says that if Schools are paying to their staff and teachers’ full salary, then no need to reduce fees. But this is not happening in many cases. Schools are charging full fees to us and do not pay to teachers and staff, is not acceptable. So, she is in favor of reduction in fees.
Archana Pungliya Kabra says that Fees can be reduced, but Schools should not reduce the salary of teachers. Teachers are working hard from home, taking online classes.
Sona C brings up a sensitive topic. She says “What about poor people, who can’t afford a really good smart phone and internet connection? What about people who may be less tech savvy than teachers? What about the school saving on money incurred by electricity and cleaner expenses? Are they still paying for cleaner and other peons, watchman etc. Schools can pass these reductions in expenses to the needy. Children of maids / cooks, who too have been badly hit by epidemic, they also deserve good education at fair fee in the current scenario. They don’t get their full salaries these days and on top of it, they are expected to spend on smart phones and net connection.
Ridhi Mp has a different perspective. She says that as a parent, she wishes that fees should be reduced. To a certain extent, this is being done also. As a teacher, she can see the efforts being done by fellow teachers to provide education to the kids. They are giving better, they can in this situation. All are badly affected by this time. Some businesses are completely swept off. All cannot be measured by same yard stick. The most suffering are our kids. They are badly missing their school life.
Shirley D'silva states that Schools should reduce fees. She is not against any teachers’ salaries. Schools are well to do to sustain and pay them. We are demanding for discounts and not free education. We all have taken a hit during these times. So, it’s a part and parcel for everyone.
Barkha Choudhary said that in her son's school, they have reduced the fees. They are not charging for conveyance. She further says that teachers are teaching online with maximum effort and should be appreciated.
Keerthi Rudresh mentions that the fees should be reduced. The schools should only collect the tuition fee. In many schools, the teachers are underpaid. The teachers are taking extra efforts to take the online classes. They should be equally compensated. However, the schools cannot ask for transportation, food, and other miscellaneous charges.
Farzana Shaikh says that Fees should be reduced, but in Mumbai, none of the schools are reducing fees. They have taken school building fund too. She says that teachers are not paid full, no electricity charges, no water bills, etc. Still do you expect the school should take full fees?
Sakshi Aggarwal highlights that schools are paying high wages to hard working teachers, then no problem in paying full fees. But she says that we all know that school authority is not doing that. So fee reduction can be considered for needy ones.
Rashmi Naudiyal is of the opinion that schools should forego all fees except Tuition fees, as they get subsidized land for building schools. Schools are run by educational trusts, which have lots of money that should take care of all miscellaneous expenses.
Swati Priya Sinha says that School should reduce fee during pandemic as most of the activities and facilities are not availed by students. All educational tours, picnics, annual functions are at halt. Moreover, even many parents lost job or experienced salary cut. But schools are collecting fee, with hike, is not justifiable.
Bina Sitlani mentions that 7 hours school cut to 90 mins. Cost has increased for parents. Child needs either smart phone or laptop. Who pays for that? Plus school is asking for full fees.
Gauri also agrees that School fees should get reduced. She has managed to take the case of our school into court and got interim orders from them to reduce to 40%. No matter is under discussion with director of education. The law currently states that schools need to charge only tuition, so they need to stick to that and not charge too much extra.
Srirupa Dutta Deb cites that transportation fees and miscellaneous expenses should be waived off. Other charges should not be reduced. The teachers are working hard and in no way their interests should be hampered.
Mandeep Kaur highlights that the schools are charging full amount from parents. They have no electricity and building maintenance expenses at present. They have reduced the staff already as the temporary staff has been let go. They are getting double the work from the teachers. They have reduced their salaries. Teachers are really suffering here, yet not being paid what they deserve.
Preety Tyagi agrees that school fees should be reduced, because a major part of the Society are facing financial problems. As some sectors are completely closed. So it's a problem for parents who come in this category.
Kirty Arya also agrees for fees reduction. She says that at least some part of the fees must be waived off, as all of us are getting a pay-cut. If our incomes have reduced, there should be a concession in our expenses as well.
Maria Candida Fernandes says that teachers’ salary should not be reduced. But since schools are closed, running cost is not more. So, school fees should be reduced. I have seen many people lost their jobs. They could not pay fees and have taken 1 year break from school. Specially those who have more than one kid.
Sarita Kamotra, a teacher, expresses that we are working 24/7. It is easier to do classroom teaching. Work which could be completed in school itself, now done at home. Schools are not giving salary to us (teachers). It is a difficult time. We all need to do our bit for each – other.
Dimple Gala questions that What about our electricity bills? We purchased new tablet because we have two daughters. Schools have to pay no bills. It is burden on us. We are paying electricity bills, internet bill.
Pulki Mittal has a balanced view and believes that there can't be a blanket answer. There are some schools, who have a low tuition fee and most of that goes towards teacher's salaries. For them, fee reduction is not possible. On the other hand, lot of schools charging higher fees, is saving a lot on overhead expenditure like electricity and maintenance, which was a part of tuition fee, they should definitely reduce the fee. She mentions that teachers should be paid in full. All staff in fact should be paid in full. The savings should be passed to the parents as a fee reduction.
Monika Sharma Agarwal feels that though school fees should be reduced, but teachers should get their full salary as they are working very hard to prepare for online classes. as well as they have to run their home and their kids go to schools too. Since school amenities and facilities are not being used by students, like no electricity consumption, no stationary, etc. So considering these things there should be substantial deduction in the school fee so that parents also get some financial relief.
Aartii Jainn says that her child is in nursery and the class happens for 1 hr for 5 days a week, against 3 to 4 hrs a days pre-lockdown. How is it justified paying same amount for 5 hrs instead of 15 hrs? We are not denying that teachers are putting their best foot forward, but please note the school doesn’t compensate only teachers via your fees, they charge you for utilizing school infrastructure too. This entire year, helpers will not be required in school, do you know if school is paying them? Their electricity costs have gone to nil. Apart from this, my effort toward my child's learning is tripled. My internet, my electricity, my time, I have to sit with my kid. We need to teach art and crafts. Recently, school gave an activity to make video on swacch bharat. We parents had to put 5 days of our hard work with kids. We need to manage our house, kids, office work and the list goes on and on. She questions that aren't schools supposed to give it back to society at times like this?
Mini Nagpal Gulati agrees that Schools should reduce fees. Why Schools are charging for computer, sports, other maintenance? Parents had to buy laptop and cell phone for kids. On top of it, there is cost of internet connection. All monthly expenses have gone up for parents.
Rutvi Joshi says that teachers should get paid fully, but miscellaneous fees like term fees, enrichment fees should be removed. When a person working from home works more than office hours, but kids have online classes for only 3 to 4 hours, so fees needs to be justified. This is very wrong to charge parents for the fees which not justified. But teachers should get paid fully.
Ishika Savla Sarang believes that fees can be reduced, because schools are saving on electricity bills, materials used, craft materials, no school functions. Timings of schools are reduced as well. Schools have deducted teachers fees as well. So how can school charge full amount from parents? So many parents have got jobless or working with salary reduction. Cost cutting is happening in all fields. Discounts are available everywhere. But schools want to make their full money. Parents are paying extra for art/craft material, internet, laptop, electricity. One parent has to accompany the child during the class.
Niranjana Sanjeev says that for primary teachers, unlike regular school, the classes are for 1 or 2 hours only. They also have the convenience of teaching from home. I feel school fees reduction should be considered. Paying the whole amount does not justify to me. Though I have paid two full term fees so far, I would be happy if school gives some consideration.
Preethi M Pinto highlights that savings on huge overheads and reduced salaries of teachers in a few schools could definitely be passed on as a discount in fees.
Jincy Thomas says that she is expecting 25% fees reduction. We also have additional other expenses like data charge and electric bill. At the same time, online class are for max of 2 hours a day. We are not using any of school resources. So, fee reduction is needed. Most of the parents in private sector are getting only 50% salary.
Ruchi Gopal agrees that fees should be reduced. We are not using school resources. But due to online classes, household expenses have increased. Whereas the salaries have slashed down. So, more burden is on parents. So, some reduction in school fees should be considered.
Neeta Khilnani Upponi also agrees that some charges related to use, and maintenance of premises should be waived off. Kudos to all teachers, as they are putting a lot of effort. Hats off to all mothers who manage their work, house, online school and so many other things.
Prodyut Kumar Pal has opinion that fees should be reduced only to those parents whose income is reduced, if you are getting the same salary or same income then why don't you give the same fees? School have to give salary to their staffs also.
Priya Shinde says that School Fees should not be reduced, because they have to pay to their teachers and other staff. If they would not get proper fees, then how they will manage expenses.
Eesha Dharani questions that You are thinking about your earnings. What about the teachers who are working 4 times more than usual? What happens to their family earnings? Do they need to starve? It is our minimal courtesy to pay their hard-earned money.
Mrinalini Borse Sonawane echoes and says that there should not be reduction in fees. Teachers are teaching online. Exams are conducted. Results are declared. All the things are happening. Only the activities are reduced. Students are physically not going, but definitely they are getting the education.
Roshni Z Sholapurwala also of the opinion that school fees should not be reduced. Schools are still paying rents, and maintenance like cleaning, and keeping staff like drivers etc on their pay scale. They need to sustain themselves to reopen once things improve, as the government will not help in any way.
Sona Sharma says that Teachers are working equally hard, in fact harder to keep the kids engaged. The schools are investing in infrastructure to keep the online programs running smoothly.
Yogita T Tipnis is a teacher. She is trained to take class in classroom. But when suddenly this pandemic happened and all teachers were asked to take classes online, all of a sudden, her world turned upside down. Few teachers who maybe not be internet savvy for them, this was challenge. Preparing for presentation worksheets and struggling with network issues, where things were not in our control, can't be nothing less than war. Teachers too have family to depend on. So how far this thought of reducing fee is correct? Education should not stop. She further adds that for the Poor's and needy, government schools have started classes on Doordarshan. Even children from slums with no cable connection, can get the education. Smart phone are there in our life far before this pandemic. Even the sweepers and cleaners are getting salaries uncut. I know many schools, where teachers are paid half, but the worker class is paid full. The securities in school are still present to protect schools for coming future. School buildings are not left abandoned. Maintenance is done on timely basis. The school staff from admin department and accounts department are also working. Sometime it is 50% of attendance and now with 100% attendance. It's not about only teachers but the whole mankind has to stand together to fight with this. Our kids are affected more. There playtime has taken place with screen time. Life has come to standstill for them. Instead of focusing on fee structure, I personally feel that we should think on how this corona will vanish as soon as possible. School infrastructure is reduced, but my fellow teachers are using all kind of infrastructure at home. So don't you think, this is going far beyond than what we are actually thinking of. We are already doing cost cutting by not going out in malls, restaurants, movies or family vacations, foreign tours, festivals, etc. Please consider this too.
Kavita Talreja, a teacher, complains that she has not received salary for many months and workload has increased. At night also, parents and children are disturbing.
Vinita Shetty agrees with teachers. When everyone is getting fully paid with work from home. Then why there is fuss about teachers? They are going out of their way to teach, in a completely new way which was unknown for many till now.
Rupal Arvind Thakkar says that child is getting the required education in this pandemic and teachers are doing their best to do what they are good at right. Everyone is struggling. How does one justify the cut in fees? its not fair. Some professions are selfless. We cannot ignore this fact. Please be little compassionate. If fees are cut then it will indirectly affect the Teaches also.
Jia Chainani Poonam Nathani understands that the schools have invested in buying IT packages to implement the required infrastructure, so that the online classes can be conducted smoothly. As a parent, even I would wish for the fees to be reduced but practically I doubt if it is going to happen.
KajalKiran Machendranath Anchan feels that teachers are working with extra efforts, so that our kids don't lose an year. We need to appreciate it. They are being told to go house to house of students. Aren't they risking their life for our kids? Teachers are humans too; they have family too.
Pearl Debra Lobo also feel that fees should not be reduced. She works for a school. She says I know teachers are working double time till late in the night, over weekends and through holidays. I know the school has to pay wages to its support staff, administrative staff, academic staff. Some schools are even providing internet packs and laptops or smartphones for online teaching. I know of schools that have stopped paying support staff or started downsizing or completely shutting down because of the fee issue. People cannot function on the bonuses that they received earlier. Should they not expect salaries now, because they are working from home options and are not doing the same amount of work? I think the decision should be such that parents are offered an option to pay fees and attend online classes or choose to take a sabbatical from school and not pay fees. Let us hope that schools, teachers and other staff actually survive this pandemic, so that children can go back to normal once things open. A lot of teachers are quitting the profession due to lack of payment owing to cost-cutting.
Suparna Rai Ajila submits that no government or no academic board has made online class compulsory. Schools have taken good steps, otherwise our children would have been hooked to TV or gadgets all day. Yes, it’s true that, we need to monitor them, and we need to struggle a lot. But one basic question is - what would have been our opinion, if teachers or school management had kept silent and not taken any steps? Would we have been happy?
Gopa Gurung does not agree that school fees should be reduced. She says do you even realize that teachers are working double the time than normal school hours. It is so stressful. This is the kind of mentality we have. How can we have a better and ethical generation when parents talk like this? Since the class is online, you should withdraw your child out from school and re-admit when the schools open. You will save your money.
Akanksha Mirji states that there are still operational costs to running a school. Also, if we, as parents, are waiting for schools to reopen, we will expect impeccable standards of hygiene and sanitation for safety of our children during or in the aftermath of a pandemic. Other maintenance staffers do visit and sanitize the schools on a regular basis. Let's not forget that each teacher is putting additional hours creating, uploading, doing dry runs, etc for each class. Many have upgraded their software and other technologies. Each teacher is also a support system to the family grappling with the same issues that we grapple with every day. So, no reduction in fees.
Munmi Sharma mentions that teachers are struggling more now than before. What about their struggle? Who will pay for it? Alright it is understood that burden is on parents also. But that burden has been eased much by the teachers who also are struggling with their own children's studies. Imagine the scene without the teacher's help. So better to think about others and learning is three way communication 'teacher-student-parents'. Now the fact is that parents are bound to be involved in the learning process of their children. It is not burden but first and foremost duty. Hope all take it positively. Fees is nothing if you compare to their learning. Those who think fees must be reduced, there's a better option too for them, they can drop out their kids from school. They can teach at home by themselves as well.
Meghna M Zadgaonkar is a teacher. She says I had to leave job this year because of online classes and work overload. It was like an option whether to attend daughters class and look into her studies or take my own classes. Teachers are really working hard and believe me no time limit. And the school is asking fees for teachers salary. Some of my colleagues are really struggling because they are the bread winners. I understand equal burden on parents because they have to make the children write.
Odella Singhwani has balanced views. She is a teacher. She says parents should understand and pay what they should, as teachers are also humans, so we should have a give and take concept.
Neha Anand is not in favor of any fee reduction. She states that teachers are working 24*7, their responsibilities getting suffered at home front, their kids. No social life left as they are stuck on their laptops all day. It will directly hamper their salaries as they are already not getting their due share because of current circumstances. It will demoralize them more than actually applauding their genuine efforts.
Smita Kishore is a teacher. She is putting a lot of efforts in teaching online. The class has to be more convincing for kids. She questions that from where the school management procure the salary?
Meena Sandhu cites that we are ready to pay for online hobby classes for our kids, but can't pay to school where teachers are working hard to make our children study. Their salaries will get impacted. Some companies are charging lakhs for coding classes and parents are joining them like crazy. But tuition fees is unbearable. She further states that schools will be unreasonable if they increase the tuition fees or charge other miscellaneous charges. Only tuition fees shouldn't be any issue.
Meenakshi Sreenivasan says that teachers have higher expenses due to online teaching. Expenses like broadband connection, and smart phone or laptop and others. Some schools are assisting teachers in meeting these incremental expenses by giving allowances. Fuel costs for buses can be reduced. But then again they have to keep the drivers and helpers on the bus on their roll.
Ruhi mentions that No one is ready to repeat the class, if they don't want online classes. But they don't want to pay fees. Only transport fees should be reduced. Teachers are working so hard even the schools are trying new concepts and techniques. But parents are not ready to pay. No fees means reduction of the salary of the employee. That's not fair as they are working so hard.
Pritu Saraswat, a parent, is happy to pay the fees without reduction. She says that schools are trying their best to give what they can and support us by taking care of our children's education. As it is difficult for us, so is it for the teachers. They are also having to upskill themselves, leave their comfort zone and teach online. We must acknowledge their efforts. The least we can do is pay what we are meant to pay.
Nilma Khalsa summarizes the entire discussion very well. She says that when we talk about reducing the school fees, no one is talking about reducing teachers salary. I don't understand why teachers are getting offended here and why they are fighting for the school. The fees reduction is asked because the school is not having any overhead expenses this year. No electricity bill, No stationary (worksheets etc provided to kids by school), No Field trips etc. Whose pocket this money will go to? If school is ready to give extra salary to teachers this year, everyone will happily pay the full fees (we all have already paid the full fees though). As parents we don't have a choice, as u cannot remove your child's name from the school. But I genuinely feel the School should consider the current situation. Many people have not got full salary for more than 3-4 months now. Many people are out of business. No one is saying no to fees. People are only talking about 20-30% reduction in the fees. I think its fair to ask that.
Summary
In summary, we appreciate the views shared by parents and teachers. Everyone echoes that Schools and Teachers have put extra ordinary efforts during this pandemic. They have ensured that students should get their education. Everyone agrees that teachers should be compensated fully. They should not face any salary deduction. Rather, few parents are even talking about increasing their salary. On the other hand, many people agree that schools are incurring additional expenses in terms of creating online infrastructure. They are maintaining the infrastructure, making payment to all support and administration staff. However there are many expenses which are not incurred for example electricity, sports, field trips, stationery, events, festivals, etc. Schools are saving these costs. Parents are expecting that Schools should transparently come forward and reduce the fees. Some may agree with few comments and some may not agree. However, we respect all the views from parents and teachers.
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Note: All above views and statements are independent views of parents and teachers. This should not be construed as our / author's views. We are not in favor or against any of the views. We do not endorse any of these views. We are putting efforts to bring different perspectives of parents and teachers. We are not making any recommendations in this blog. All parents and teachers should form their independent views and opinions about the situation and make decisions which is suitable to them. None of the above views should be construed as our / author's own views or recommendations. We have not verified authenticity of these views, so we should not held responsible for any of these views. We / Author should not be held liable and responsible, in any manner whatsoever, for any of the views, which are independently coming from parents and teachers.
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