Over 18,000 schools in Maharashtra to slash fees

MESTA says the decision will benefit about 60 per cent of children in schools tied to it

Budget English schools across Maharashtra have decided to reduce their fees by up to 25 per cent to help parents tide over the financial crisis inflicted by Covid. Their association has appealed to government workers and other professionals who have not faced salary cuts, job or business loss to pay the full amount, saying it will help the schools survive.

The Maharashtra English School Trustees Association (MESTA), an umbrella body of 18,000 schools including 2,500 from Mumbai, Thane, Raigad and Palghar, said the decision will benefit around 60 per cent of children in schools affiliated to it.

Sanjayrao Tayde Patil, founder president of MESTA

"The idea is to ensure that children's education does not suffer and at the same time, even schools have funds to continue. So, parents who are currently not paying any amount may have a relief to pay discounted costs and we are appealing that all those who can pay the full fee should pay it. The arrangement is also to help schools survive through these difficult times. After all, the school's staff too needs a salary. Parents who are facing financial issues with conditions such as job or business loss, salary-cut should be given the discount in fees," said Sanjayrao Tayde Patil, Founder President of the MESTA as he also shared that it will help generate trust among parents.

"Currently when school-fee related issues are at its peak, many parents are not paying fees at all after being misguided by some with vested interests. If schools show consideration via discounts, parents too, we expect, will take the required step from their side. Running a school requires funds and most of it is from fee collection," he added.

The association has also decided to offer education from Std I to XII completely free of cost for children who have lost their parents to Covid. "Such children can be admitted to any MESTA school in their vicinity and the trust will bear all the costs including expenditure for uniform and stationery. Even if there is no MESTA-covered school in the locality, the association will help in the expenditure of these children in other budget English medium schools," told Patil.