Support required from Doctors

Parents

We all know that the entire country is worried too much on Swine Flu today. Today its beyond questioning as to whether its epidemic or not but our intentions should be to prevent this spreading across, in the environment that we can control to our extent meaning lets do our bit of effort & leave the rest.

As you all know DPaS has been formed with the only intention of contributing to what will help the parents & the school, we now want to help the school management our bit of support. We very well know that our school management & teachers are doing everything possible to ensure this doesn't happen in the school, however many parents kept on raising this our our curiosity or what ever.

Now the request is for the Medical Doctors in our association to come forward & share their expertise with school on top most priority. In this regards, we request those parents who are practising medical doctors to come forward & join us help the school authorities in helping all of us.

Send in your contact details to dpssecunderabad@gmail.com.

Schools yet to seek approval on fee hike

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/hyderabad/schools-yet-seek-approval-fee-hike-255

Hyderabad Aug. 19: Though the order regulating the fee structure in private schools was issued almost two weeks ago, none of the schools has approached the government so far to seek approval for their revised fee, which was hiked in the range of 40 per cent to 100 per cent this year.This has annoyed the government and it has asked parents to lodge complaints with the district education officers if school managements insist on payment of the hiked fee. The government order stipulates that the schools must collect the fee amount, which existed last year until the revised fee gets government approval. The government also mandated that the six-member governing council, proposed to be set up at each school to decide upon its fee structure, must have two members representing parents.As per the provisions of the GO that was issued on August 6, private schools must submit their proposals on fee hike through governing councils to the district fee regulatory committees (DFRCs) and seek approval. “None of the schools has approached DFRCs seeking approval for their revised fee structure so far. Parents should demand that the managements convene the meetings of governing councils immediately to decide on the rate of hike and to submit them to DFRCs for approval. Parents should not pay the fee that the schools insist on,” said Mr Suresh Chanda, secretary, department of secondary education.He said the government will initiate action against schools which insist on payment of hiked fee without approval from DFRCs.“Parents should bring to the notice of DEOs the schools that force them to pay the hiked fee. We will take action as per the penal provisions specified in the GO,” Mr Chanda said.

School closed tomorrow

Due to heavy rains in Hyderabad, DPS Secunderabad declared holiday tomorrow ie 18.08.2009. Tuesday test will be conducted on another day.

Swine Flu (H1N1) in India

We're trying to create a group from our parents, who would volunteer to make sure our school doesn't fall prey to this recent epidemic kind of situation. Doctors are most welcomed to volunteer for this noble cause.

Reach us @ dpssecunderabad@gmail.com. Thank you for your support.

Parents Contacts

- Are you getting regular updates via email ?
- Are you getting regular updates via SMSs ?

No, Please update your contacts (email ID & Mobile number) to dpssecunderabad@gmail.com. Or if your contacts have changed in the recent past, please update us, to keep you updated on various activities that we carry out on regular basis. We value your association.

Schools can hike fee only with Govt consent: SC

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/delhi/Schools-can-hike-fee-only-with-Govt-consent-SC/articleshow/4869362.cms

NEW DELHI: In a major victory for parents resisting `arbitrary' fee hikes by private unaided schools in the capital and a partial relief for the schools, the Supreme Court on Friday allowed school managements to increase fee but only with prior approval of Delhi government's Director of Education.
By leashing the school fee structure, which has seen massive increase in the recent past, to DoE's consent at the commencement of an academic year, the apex court said it wanted to protect parents from being fleeced in the name of capitation charges by greedy managements.
The schools, however, got a small friendly clarification in the judgment which said that if more than one private unaided school was under a single management, then surplus funds of school could be transferred to another. However, this also came with a big rider - the money cannot not be transferred to the parent society and that the funds were to be utilized only for the purpose of education.
A bench comprising Justices S B Sinha, S H Kapadia and Cyriac Joseph gave separate judgments on the issue. But, the majority judgment flowed from Justices Kapadia and Joseph, both of whom decided to dismiss a batch of petitions from schools seeking a review of SC's 2004 judgment.
In another significant order aimed at putting a lid of profiteering by schools, the judgment said, ``Every recognized unaided school covered by the (Delhi School Education) Act shall maintain accounts on the principles of accounting applicable to non-business/not-for-profit organisations.''
By permitting transfer of surplus funds from a school to its sister concern, the SC did take care of a long-standing grievance of the schools that a ban on shifting extra money had severely hindered establishment of new schools and upgrading infrastructure.
It also said that the fees could be increased undwer the mechanism provided in the Delhi School Education Act, 1973 and the relevant rules on increase in salaries of teachers and staff as well as infrastructure improvements, but such enhanced fee structure could only be implemented with prior approval from DoE.
The court also reiterated its earlier direction which stated that ``each school is required to file a statement of fees every year before the ensuing academic session under Section 17(3) of the Act with DoE''.
``The school shall not increase tuition fee without prior sanction from the Directorate of Education, Delhi Administration, and shall follow provisions of Delhi School Education Act/Rules, 1973 and other instructions issued from time to time,'' the court said.
In its 2004 judgment, the court had taken a serious objection to the manner in which schools were being used as a front for profiteering by managements and the societies. By dismissing the review petitions and issuing a clarification, the code applicable for the schools is as follows:
- The DoE can regulate fee in accordance with Section 17(3) of the Delhi School Education Act, 1973 and Delhi School Education Rules, 1973
- The funds of the school can be transferred to sister concerns under the same management only for the purpose of educational activities
- The schools which have obtained land from the government at concessional rates, subject to the condition of giving freeships to poor children, are bound to adhere to the land lease condition.

Double whammy for Parents in AP

After the good news from AP State Government, now its the highest judicial authority in the country coming to the rescue of the Parents of school going children across the country !!!

http://www.zeenews.com/news553515.html

New Delhi: In a major decision, the Supreme Court on Friday ruled that private unaided schools do not have the right to hike fees charged from students.
Hearing a review petition filed by the Action Committee for Unaided Private Schools seeking reconsideration of a 2004 apex court verdict, in which the SC had upheld the Director Education’s authority to take a final decision in fee hikes being implemented by schools on the ground of implementing pay commission recommendations for teachers, the SC today said only the government can regulate private school fees. The unaided private schools need to take the permission of the Director Education before hiking fees, the court said in its judgement.
While filing the review petition, the unaided private schools’ action committee had said that the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations required the schools to pay teachers higher salary.
The committee had also argued in the review petition that the 2004 judgment was contrary to provisions of the Delhi School Education Act.
Today’s SC verdict is a major victory for parents of school children who have been opposing private schools’ move to hike fees periodically.
The SC in its 2004 verdict had also endorsed the Director Education’s move to put a freeze on the fee structure and halt transfer of funds from schools to the parent society.

A BIG THANKS TO ALL

Today is not just another day for every single parent of school going children in AP
- A big thanks to our CM Dr. YSR for making this happen in such a short time
- A big thanks to Sri Danam Nagender for all the support through the tough times & moral support to the parents all through & supporting CM, Education Minister, Fee Regulatory Committee Members & the entire Education Department for making this happen
- To those parents who braved the summer aggression & stood by & ensure this happens, comes what maybe
- To our media friends, who also braved the summer heat & stood by us & spreading the word across, which help us achieve this today
- To those silent parents supporting from behind, maybe today you can proudly come out & say I supported & made this happen

This is not the end, but just a humble beginning for a better society for tomorrow.

Few media reports

Schools asked to retain old fees

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/hyderabad/schools-asked-retain-old-fees-785

HyderabadAug. 6: The state government issued orders on Thursday evening restructuring fee in private schools. For the time being, schools have been asked to collect the fee fixed in the previous academic year until the District Fee Regulatory Committee (DFRC) approves the revised fee for this year.
As per the order, private schools should only collect only a one-time fee that includes application fee amounting to Rs 100 and registration fee not exceeding Rs 500. They can also collect a refundable caution deposit not exceeding Rs 5,000 which has to be duly approved by the DFRC. No other fee by any name whatsoever shall be charged as a one-time measure.
The tuition fee shall be fixed based on the salaries paid to the teachers and staff, retirement benefits, running expenditure, infrastructure and facilities available. It shall be collected in not less than three instalments Fee linked to non-academic activities will be optional for students and shall not be part of the tuition fee Sale of books, notebooks and stationery at school counter, if any, shall be made at a discount. Otherwise, the school should notify at least three shops where text books, note books, stationery are available.
The order also states that students should not be compelled to purchase uniforms from the school. Further, the transportation fee shall be fixed with a slab of 5 km.
Though the five-member committee appointed by the government to restructure fee in private schools submitted its report on July 3, the government failed to issue orders so far. However, with protests from students and parents increasing, it issued orders on Thursday. Further, they have also been advised against issuing advertisements about their results and using names such as IIT Olympiad/ Concept/ e-Techno/ e-shastra and the like. If schools collect more than the fee approved by the DFRC, it shall be treated as capitation fee and management shall be liable for action. The recognition granted to the school and NOC issued shall be withdrawn after giving due notice.
The school shall submit statements along with proposed fee structure to DFRC before the September 30 for approval. The fee structure approved by the DFRC shall be valid for three academic years but managements may increase fee every year based on the inflation rate. However, DFRC also reserves the right to review its decision.

Collecting capitation fee? Pay penalty

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/india/Collecting-capitation-fee-Pay-penalty/articleshow/4865118.cms

BANGALORE: Here is a shocker for schools that fatten themselves at the cost of students. Collecting capitation fee? Then pay 10 times the amount collected from parents as penalty.
With the passage of the Right to Education Bill 2009, the government is all set to tighten admission norms, a move bound to come as a boon to lakhs of parents who end up paying hefty donations for their children's admission.
``Once the Centre issues the notification, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights which is the monitoring authority to implement the Bill in toto will look into all the complaints,'' sources told TOI.
There is further trouble for schools if they are found conducting interviews in the name of interaction before admitting the children. This will attract a fine ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000.
The Bill, which was passed by the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, needs presidential assent and will then go before the HRD ministry for final notification.
Though many state education Acts have banned donations, they have largely remained on paper. Year after year, many schools collect huge capitation fee in the guise of development fund and parents have no choice but to pay up or opt out.
WHAT PRINCIPALS SAY
School principals told TOI that they do not charge capitation fee or donation. However, some admitted that they charged hefty fees so they could repay loans invested on the school's development. ``It's expensive to get land in Bangalore. Schools have to invest more if they want to provide quality besides providing adequate infrastructure. How will they get the money back if they don't charge capitation fee,'' asked the principal of a reputed school, on condition of anonymity.
He added: ``Suppose we give admission without taking capitation fee and later request the parents to contribute, then no one will volunteer. Hence, a few schools charge at the time of admission.''
At Bangalore's Bishop Cotton Girls' School, the payment is as per the fee structure. ``We charge infrastructure and development fee but that is only a one-time contribution at the time of admission,'' said principal Princess Franklyn.
But National Public School (NPS) group of institutions don't charge capitation fee. ``For the last 50 years, we have not taken any capitation fee,'' K P Gopalkrishna, chairman of NPS group of institutions, said.
Schools maintained that they do not have any screening procedure for parents/guardians or children. For instance, at Bishop Cotton, at the time of admission, parents apply, then applications are categorized, students are shortlisted and finally parents informed. ``Only at the last stage do we meet the parents,'' Princess Franklyn said.
Some schools maintain that interviews help them filter the applicants as they have a few seats.
FINANCE IS THE ISSUE
With the Centre stating that the cost of ensuring education to all children will be shared between the Centre and states, implementation of the RTE will cost the state exchequer heavily. Principal secretary R G Nadadur told TOI that details of sharing the finances would be known only after the rules were framed.
``Sharing can be done through either new programmes or even existing ones. For instance, for Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, the present sharing ratio is 60:40 (Centre: state). For the mid-day meal scheme, it is 70:30,'' he said.

Parliament passes landmark Right to Education Bill

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/india/Parliament-passes-landmark-Right-to-Education-Bill/articleshow/4857243.cms
NEW DELHI: Children would get the fundamental right to free and compulsory education with the passage of a bill, hailed as "historic", by Parliament on Tuesday.
The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Bill, 2008, seeks to provide education to children aged between 6 to 14 years.
The Bill, one of the flagship programmes in the 100-day agenda of the UPA government, also earmarks 25 per cent seats to weaker sections in private schools.
While the Rajya Sabha okayed the bill earlier, the Lok Sabha putting its seal of approval on Tuesday, with HRD minister Kapil Sibal describing it as "harbinger of a new era" for children to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
He said the bill is a "historic opportunity" for providing better future to children of the country as there was never such a landmark legislation in the last 62 years since independence.
"We as a nation cannot afford our children not going to schools," he asserted, noting that the measure details the obligations of the Centre and the states for providing free and compulsory education to children.

Schools granted stay on fee implementation

http://www.ptinews.com/news/210478_Schools-granted-stay-on-fee-implementation
Noida, Aug 3 (PTI) The High Court has granted interim stay on implementation of hiked fee structure, which allowed each school to decide its fee norms.
District inspector of schools (DIOS) Jyoti Prasad said a single judge bench of Justice Dilip Gupta has granted interim stay on implementation of government order to eight schools.
The case was posted to August 10 for further hearing.
He said the process of grading of schools was on as common fee structure for all schools was not justified. The copy of Saturday's HC order was received today.
Schools which obtained stay are Bal Bharati Public School, Vishwa Bharati Public School, Delhi Public School's Noida and Greater Noida branches, Khaitan International School, Amity International School, Lotus Valley and Rameesh School, Prasad said.

Now, private schools under CAG scanner

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4843569.cms
NEW DELHI: If it was tough for you to figure out those hidden charges under the guise of charges for development, building, swimming pool and library in your child's school fee bill, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) will now demystify it for you.
On Friday, CAG said it has decided to audit accounts of unaided private schools of Delhi. The parents in Delhi who took to the streets after the recent steep fee hike by schools in the name of Sixth Pay Commission are sure to rejoice over the CAG decision. The powerful private school lobby in the Capital is, however, bound to resist it.
This year accounts of only 25 schools will be taken up for review and in the next round more schools will be subjected to the audit which will be cyclical in nature.
The audit will look into land use by schools, examine their fee structure and also ascertain if they cater to poor children or not as prescribed by Delhi School Education Act, 1973.
The decision, CAG said, has been taken under the provisions of Delhi School Education Act, 1973, and the Delhi High Court order in Delhi Abhibhawak Mahasangh vs Union of India case.
Delhi HC had said that "inspection of schools, audit of accounts and compliance with provisions of the Act and rules by private recognised unaided schools could have prevented the present state of affairs. The tution fee cannot be fixed to recover capital expenditure to be incurred on the properties of the society.''
Apart from the HC order, CAG cited provisions of Delhi School Education Act and said the law mandates it to audit accounts. DSEA says the managing committee of every recognised private school shall file audited financial and other returns with the director. The rules under DSEA Act also make it compulsory for schools to maintain accounts of fees and contributions collected by it as per government rules. Another rule says the accounts can be audited by auditors authorised by the director and also by officers authorised by the CAG.
Delhi HC had in its order said the question of commercialisation of education and exploitation of parents by individual schools could be authoritatively determined on thorough examination of the accounts and other records of each school.