At a time when the private and boarding schools have decided to hike fees for the new academic session, experts have pointed out that the government has failed to regulate private schools and colleges.

The decision is against the May 23 Supreme Court (SC) verdict last year that had ordered the schools not to hike fees for the next three years.

Educationist Mana Wagle said that the government is equally to be blamed for the situation. “District Education Offices are being bribed by private schools,” Wagle claimed.

The apex court also ordered the Office of the Prime Minister and MoE to closely monitor the private schools. The verdict further stated that schools cannot change the fee structure without approval from concerned government authority.

Guardians would be forced to file a case against schools if the latter moves ahead with the fee hike decision, said Chairman of the Guardians´ Association of Nepal Suprabhat Bhandari.

However, the Kathmandu District Education Officer (DEO) Baikuntha Aryal dismissed the chances of fee hike this year. “We are continuously in dialogue with both the guardians and schools,” said Aryal. He added that the Fee Regulation Committee would be formed at district level for further discussion.

Meanwhile, the Private and Boarding School of Nepal (PABSON) Chairman Baburam Pokhrel said schools cannot function without increasing fees for three years when inflation has reached double digit figure.

source: republica, 30 jan 2013