10 days to go, schools put up payment notice in Kolkata – Times of India

KOLKATA: Some city schools on Tuesday put up their recommendations on websites and notice boards, suggesting ways for parents to expedite the payment of fees.
With the Supreme Court on Monday not changing the Calcutta High Court’s order on the 20% waiver on tuition and session fees for the pandemic months or that on the payment deadline of November 30, guardians now have only 10 working days to clear their dues from April to November.
Shri Shikshayatan group schools announced that parents have three options: They can pay 80% of the fees; they can choose to stick to the entire amount; those who have already paid the full amounts for some months but now want refund because they wish to avail of the 20% concession, can get their payables for the coming months adjusted accordingly. About 90% parents had already paid for the first quarter and 60% the second quarter at these schools, said spokesperson Bratati Bhattacharya.
A notice put up by the Loyola High School, Kidderpore on Tuesday, signed by principal Father Rodney Borneo, read, “We humbly appeal to you to understand the dire situation of the school and if possible to pay the full fees.” La Martiniere Schools have 900 defaulting parents, who have individually been alerted by the administration. About 40% paid and the school received a number of calls and mails on Tuesday, showing their intent to pay, said secretary Supriyo Dhar. Though it is yet to be seen what they actually do to kids on December 8, if their parents miss the payment deadline, the institutes are sending out strict messages now. The letters sent to parents at La Martiniere Schools stated, “Please note that in terms of the Calcutta High Court order, if you fail to clear the outstanding by 30th November, 2020, your child may not be allowed to continue classes with effect from 8th December, 2020.”
The Loyola High School notice said, “The fee defaulters will be removed from the online classes after 8th December, 2020.”
At South point, 1,200 parents paid the revised fees for October and November by Tuesday. The momentum would pick up in the coming days, said spokesperson Krishna Damani. Those parents who wish to pay the full amount can do so after November 30. About 10% parents seeking waivers at MP Birla School have also paid.
Mails have started trickling in to Loreto schools from parents who are seeking waivers and showing intent to pay by the deadline. St Xavier’s Collegiate School principal Father Thamacin Arulappan said he was happy that a large number of parents had understood the school’s problem and expressed their intent to pay 100% fees. Many have already done so. “We are supporting all those who have sought our help. This is helping bring in the much-required balance,” he said.
On Monday, 50 schools, under West Bengal Association of Christian Schools, joined hands to file a special leave petition in the Supreme Court against the HC’s October 13 order. But Loreto schools and those run by Christian Brothers did not join it.