Mita Mukherjee
A division bench of Calcutta High Court on Friday ruled that the 20 percent Covid 19 discount on school fees offered to students will end on February 16 considering reopening of schools and resumption of physical classes in the state.
The court today observed that the schools and educational institutions shall be permitted to charge fees according to their policy and arrangement with the students from February 16.
The High Court on October 13, 2020, had asked schools to charge 80 per cent of their usual fees as the institutions were closed and students were taught only through online classes.
“With prospective effect from 16th February, 2022, that part of our order permitting deduction of 20 % of school fees shall stand vacated,” the division bench of justices IP Mukherji and Justice Moushumi Bhattacharya observed.
Schools in West Bengal had reopened for in-person classes for students of VIII to XII on February 3. Schools till Class VII resumed physical classes from February 16.
The order by Justice IP Mukherji and Justice Moushumi Bhattacharya today read: “ As the situation stands today, there is substantial remission of the effects of the pandemic. Life in all spheres has become substantially normal. In fact, by the notification of the State Government dated 14th February, 2022, even primary and the upper primary schools have been thrown open to physical education with effect from 16th February, 2022.”
The high court will hear the case again on March 25.
The court also remarked that until March 31 or further orders no school can expel any student, withhold admit card to sit for any board exam or withhold marksheet and pass certificates for non-payment of fees.
“ Till 31st March, 2022 or until further orders, whichever is earlier, no coercive action like expulsion of any student from the school, withholding of admit card to sit for any Board examination, withholding of mark-sheets or certificates on the ground of default in payment of school fees, shall be taken by the schools or other educational institutions covered by this litigation against any student,” according to the order.
The court further opined that up to February 28, 2022 with regards to online classes, students will have to pay school fees according to the interim order passed by the court before.
Also read: School fees & online classes confusion: National round-up
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