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No senate meeting at BU: Principals say varsity norms being violated

No senate meeting at BU: Principals say varsity norms being violated

COIMBATORE: The principals of arts and science colleges affiliated with Bharathiar University flagged 'lethargic' university officers, and alleged that they did not hold a senate meeting in June.
Even with the start of August, officers have so far not taken any initiative to hold this meeting, they said.
A principal of a private Arts and Science College in the city, on condition of anonymity, told TNIE that university norms state that a senate meeting should be conducted twice in an academic year.
"Until the 2022-2023 academic year, the university was conducting the senate meeting in June and December. After that, the university conducted it only once a year, citing various reasons. This practice is against the university's Act," he said.
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Oppn corners govt over patta promise to tribals; Let's sit & sort it out, says CM
Oppn corners govt over patta promise to tribals; Let's sit & sort it out, says CM

Time of India

time36 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Oppn corners govt over patta promise to tribals; Let's sit & sort it out, says CM

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What's in Delhi govt's new private school fee regulation bill & why are parents concerned
What's in Delhi govt's new private school fee regulation bill & why are parents concerned

The Print

time2 hours ago

  • The Print

What's in Delhi govt's new private school fee regulation bill & why are parents concerned

The new bill aims to ensure uniform fee regulation for all private unaided schools, including minority institutes, as well as those not allotted any government land. Till now, fee regulation in Delhi has applied only to private schools operating on land allotted by the Delhi Development Authority. The bill also prohibits schools from harassing students over unpaid or delayed fees, including measures such as striking off names, withholding results, denying access to classes, or public humiliation. On Monday, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Education Minister Ashish Sood introduced the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Act, 2025. The move comes three months after they first announced the bill amid a wave of protests by parents over fee hikes by several private schools at the start of the academic session in April. New Delhi: Calling its bill to regulate fees in private schools 'historic', the Delhi government Monday introduced the much-awaited draft legislation in the assembly as parents raised concerns over several of its provisions, including the requirement of at least 15 percent of parents uniting to challenge any fee hike by private schools, terming the condition as 'impractical'. Speaking to the media, ahead of the assembly session, Sood said, 'Today marks a golden day in the history of Delhi's education system. For the first time in 27 years, a historic bill will be introduced in the assembly under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.' The bill was 'aimed at ending the exploitation, pressure, and mental harassment faced by parents over school fees', added Sood. ThePrint explains what the draft bill is and why parents remain unconvinced that it will resolve the issue. How will fee approvals work now? 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It may revise the amount downward. The committee must decide on the fee within 30 days of receiving the proposal. Once approved, the fee structure will be on the school notice board in Hindi, English, and the medium of instruction. If the school has a website, the approved fee must also be published there. What the School-Level Fee Regulation Committee approves will be binding on the school for the next three academic years. The committee will also specify the various heads under which private schools can charge fees. Also Read: Two realities of NEP: Sensory classrooms & hi-tech labs, to kids sitting on floor & no teachers What happens if parents aren't satisfied? The bill mandates that any challenge to the decision of the School-Level Fee Regulation Committee must come from an 'Aggrieved Parents Group', comprising at least 15 percent of the total number of parents in the school. Only when supported by at least 15 percent of the parent body, a fee-related grievance will be considered. 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It will also have representatives from the parents and the school. The bill proposes strict penalties for non-compliance, with fines ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. In cases of non-payment, the government can seize and sell the movable or immovable property of the school management, appoint a receiver to manage assets, or take any other recovery action, as prescribed in the bill. However, it will not impose a penalty without hearing both parties and giving adequate time. Sudha Acharya, principal of ITL public school, said the school has already constituted the school level committee. 'We will try to take parents on board right from the beginning so that there is no need to go to the district committee. It's too early to comment on the bill. Let it first be pass and come into effect,' she said. Why are parents raising concerns? Among the various concerns parents are raising over the proposed bill, the most important is how the bill defines 'aggrieved parents'. It would deprive individual parents of their right to raise a complaint, they argue. 'Requiring a minimum of 15 percent of a school's parents to challenge the school-level Fee Regulatory Committee's decision before the district committee is nearly impossible. It effectively denies parents the right to contest arbitrary fee hikes,' said Ashok Agarwal, chairperson of All India Parents Association. Parents are also raising concerns over the selection process for parent representatives in the school-level committee. 'Why cannot there be elections instead? Who will ensure the draw of lots is fair and free from discrepancies? How do you guarantee transparency?' asked Shikha Bhagga, a lawyer and member of the Forum of Indian Parents. Bhagga also questioned the criteria to determine fees. 'Infrastructure should not be a factor in deciding the fee—it is the school's asset, not the responsibility of the students. Both the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court have held in several cases that infrastructure has no direct bearing on fees,' she said. Moreover, parents are showing concern over one of the clauses—the fees, which schools will charge, starting 1 April 2025, will be the proposed fee for the 2025–26 academic year. 'Many schools hiked fees illegally this year without any approval, and they continue to charge them. The bill not only allows that but effectively legitimises it,' Bhagga added. Questioning the bill, AAP's Atishi called it a deliberate attempt by the BJP government to protect the interests of private schools, rather than those of the students and parents. 'The government intentionally delayed the bill from April to July, allowing schools to hike fees unchecked and extort money from parents. The biggest concern is that the bill includes no provision to roll back these fee hikes, effectively legitimising them. This bill serves private school owners, not the public,' she said in a press conference. (Edited by Madhurita Goswami) Also Read: 'Honest history, not ideology'—NCERT social science panel chief on changes in Class 8 textbook

10k RTI cases resolved in a year, none pending: CIC
10k RTI cases resolved in a year, none pending: CIC

Time of India

time2 hours ago

  • Time of India

10k RTI cases resolved in a year, none pending: CIC

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