Maharashtra plans to amend its fee regulation law, easing complaint processes and introducing area-wise fee structures to address rising school fees. However, parents and activists cited that this was merely an eyewash.
Dilip Singh Vishwakarma, President of the MahaParents Association, Pune, urged that any amendments made should focus solely on the welfare of parents and not benefit profit-driven school managements.
Suresh Gaikwad, a parent, said, "My son is studying in the 7th standard, and the fees in private institutions are skyrocketing. This adds a lot of financial burden on us. The government schools do not provide quality education, so you can't even imagine sending your wards there. I think this new Fee Regulation Act will help the common people who are looted in the name of quality education."
“The government must ensure that the revised law is centred around parents’ interests. Under no circumstances should the law help profiteering educational institutions. Otherwise, the government will have to face the growing anger of parents,” added Vishwakarma.
"Many private and corporate-run schools are increasingly functioning as profit-making businesses. The government should take strict action against such trends. Many integrated colleges collect lakhs of rupees under various pretexts. We urge the state to bring them under regulation," said Shaila Kale, a parent who lives in Pimpri and whose kid goes to Podar International School.
Deepali Sardesmukhi, a social activist, said, "It has become essential to enact legislation to control these private class operators and protect parents from being looted. Strict enforcement and harsh action must be taken against such exploitative practices. It is disheartening to see non-issues being debated while real issues are sidelined. This undermines the sanctity of our parliamentary democracy. Sometimes we even doubt whether any meaningful reform will actually take place in these halls. We appeal to the state government to act swiftly and introduce parent-centric reforms in the Fee Regulation Act to deliver justice to families across Pune."
