Recently the print media was abuzz with matters relating to school fees. The All Nagaland Private Schools’ Association (ANPSA) tried to explain the position of the schools on fee collection, while making an appeal to the government for help.
Today, the private sector, be it school or any other organisation, is economically impacted due to the repeated lockdowns. Tens of thousands of families, and more, too have been rendered helpless by the pandemic-related restrictions. To cope with this unusual situation some private schools have waived the tuition fees of students from the economically weaker sections, while some have given other incentives. The question now is - how much more can they give? Can they waive the fees of all students, even for a few months? As we are made to understand, the private schools of Nagaland hardly get any support from the government. Moreover, comparing the fee structure of Nagaland’s private schools with those of many other states, education is very affordable, even to the lower income groups in Nagaland.
The Private Schools are a major employer in the private sector in Nagaland; many other establishments/enterprises/businesses have failed or are struggling due to various reasons. The private schools have also contributed immensely to the overall growth of the children of the state. The results of the various Board Examinations tell the story. The teachers are not well paid, but they have consistently delivered. They, with the supporting staff and management, deserve our applause.
Now with the massive disruption due to the pandemic the private schools are on the verge of collapse. The major issue is the payment of school fees. The parents/guardians and well-meaning organisations feel the schools should not charge fees, or make exemptions to a great extent. One reason often cited is that the children do not attend school. But are the teachers not serving society? The pandemic has hit everyone very hard, including the private school teachers who however, had to go out of their comfort zones to deliver, in the form of conducting classes and examinations, evaluating their students, etc., all online. To ensure accountability most management ensure their teachers attend school regularly. These teachers work to the best of their abilities to ensure the students did not lose on education. It is true however, that many students suffer for poor connectivity, but this is a problem of the system, which has got most of us in a vice-like grip.
To now ask the management of the private schools to waive the fees for a few months or not insist on fees at all is asking for too much. We should remember that the management pays the salaries of the teachers and all supporting staff from the revenue generated from fees. The above demands are an act of betrayal to the teachers, who will stop getting salaries or get a good percentage snipped off. Perhaps there are ways to ensure that everyone in the system gets something during these hard times.
It will be a great gesture on the part of the management of private schools if they could waive the fees of those children from families that are really struggling; thanks to some who have already done it. It will also be good of them to exempt the students from paying some fees for facilities not used, such as Games & Sports, Medical, meals (where applicable), transportation, library, etc. However, the public should understand that it will be very difficult for the schools as they also employ full-time wardens, librarians, drivers, caregivers for small children, gardeners, cleaners, cooks, etc. Are we, as a society, ready to sacrifice these supporting staff by destroying their livelihoods?
But how do the managements adjust to this shortfall? By stopping payment of salaries or reducing the salaries of their staff, which as it is, is meagre. These teachers and staff will be forced to search for other jobs. After all, they need food on the table for their families. If even a fraction of the teachers leave today, there will be great upheaval in society. The education of tens of thousands of children will be adversely impacted. This will destroy our fragile society. Therefore, the request of the ANPSA made to the government for financial aid is fully justified. Here, even we the public, particularly the government servants, those generating some income, and the wealthy have a great responsibility towards society. Let us pay the fees due to the schools, in spite of our children not getting the benefit of physical attendance. If we do so, we support the teachers and other staff, and we also contribute to society. The Government too should support the private schools during the pandemic by providing grants towards fees of those children from the economically weaker sections. One wonders if the Nagaland Government can help the children of the weaker sections of society by way of providing scholarships in the future, solely for their education!
Let’s support our Private School Teachers and the Supporting Staff! They are the reason our children are progressing, even in these tremendously difficult times. If our teachers are well, society is well.
Prof. G.T. Thong
Lower Agri Colony, Kohima
glen2t03@yahoo.com