Narayana Jr College demands advance fees amid lockdown, parents fume
By Dheeshma Published on 1 May 2020 4:51 AM GMT
Hyderabad: A wave of anger has swept across parents and students after Narayana Junior College in Kukatpally and Madhapur demanded semester fees despite lockdown.
“Normally we pay fees in June and July. But today they called us and demanded the next semester fee. My child is in her second year. The fee for the second year is Rs 1, 40,000. They are asking for 50 percent advance. How we will arrange a huge amount in short notice.” said a parent of a student.
Most of the parents have either got salary cuts or suffered business losses due to the Covid-19 lockdown. “Asking fee in such a situation is beyond comprehension,” the parent added.
The college has already started special classes for second-year students online. According to the parents, the college is demanding advance payment.
“Every year they hold special classes for the second year intermediate students from May. This year, because of the lockdown they decided to hold classes online. Every day, students have Zoom classes for three subjects with a duration of 1. 5 hours for each class,” said another parent.
The college authorities were unavailable for a comment when contacted. Their versions is awaited.
The Telangana State Board for Intermediate Education has meanwhile instructed the managements all Private and Corporate Junior colleges not to insist the students to pay the fee and enroll students in Intermediate 1st year for the Academic year 2020-21 as the 10th class examinations have not completed and colleges have NOT yet been affiliated or permitted.
"Violation of instructions will be viewed seriously and action will be initiated against the erring Managements / Principals including permanent disaffiliation," the board said in an official statement.
On April 21, the Telangana government had issued an order barring private schools from increasing fees for 2020-2021. “The schools will continue to charge only tuition fees every month until further orders,” the order said.
However, this order is applicable only to schools and not intermediate colleges.
