The Karnataka High Court has ordered notice to the state government on a batch of petitions filed by the association of private schools. The petitions challenge the state government circulars on fee reduction, the display of fee structure, submission of audit reports and infrastructure.

A petition filed by the Karnataka State Minorities Educational Institutions Managements Federation has challenged the circulars on 30 percent fee cut,  the display of fee structure and submission of audit reports while two petitions filed by the Association of Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka (KAMS) and some others have challenged the fee reduction circular on one and infrastructure and obtaining NOC from the fire department in two separate petitions on another.

A single-judge bench of Justice R Devdas issued the notice and directed the state government to file its statement of objections within a period of 10 days from the date of notice. The court said it would hear the matter immediately after the statement of objections are filed by the respondents.

As per the petitioners, the government’s directive regarding the fee reduction affects their rights and of the minority educational institutions which enjoy protection under Article 30 of the Constitution.

As per schools, the circular dated July 24, 2019, relating to the display of fee structure and other details violates SC guidelines. On infrastructure and NOCs as mandated on November 20, 2020, circular, the petitioners said most of their member schools are budget schools and cannot afford to obtain such certificates.

Source: Times of India

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