Private schools face tough option on fees collection

Our Reporter
Dimapur, May 19 (EMN): As reported in the previous edition of Eastern Mirror, the Covid-19 pandemic has left many private schools, which are dependent on fees for its operations, with tough options to make.

Speaking to Eastern Mirror, the principal of Little Star Higher Secondary School, Christina Neikhrienuo, informed that very few were paying school fees and they had not sent any notification regarding clearance of fees.
She said they have not yet taken any decision on waiving off school fees. She added that video conferencing classes incur many expenses and teachers are working hard to teach online.

Online classes are from 8:30 am to 3 pm and they have given the teachers options to work from home or from the school, she said. Neikhrienuo added that majority of the teachers prefer to work from school since facilities such as internet connection and technical support is better in the school.
She informed that they have paid a certain percentage of the salaries and added that teachers have also understood the situation.

She added that the schools is in a 'very tight condition' right now but despite everything, all the teachers are working hard to provide the best education to the students even during these difficult times.

The principal of United Higher Secondary School, Ashuli Apil, informed that when notifications were issued for the closure of schools, they collected all the contact numbers of the students' parents.

He informed that the online classes were going on and parents were paying the school fees on their own will. He added that so far, their management have been able to pay full staff salaries and as of now their school is not facing any issue.

The school is even providing study materials for the students of those parents who do not have smart phones, he said. He added that for those students who are unable to attend online classes, the school provides print out material to maintain continuous learning.

The administrator of Grace Academy, Ketoulhou Sekhose, informed that they have not asked the parents to pay school fees but they are taking it from those who can pay. He added that the school has a lot of financial problems and is running in deficit since it is a new institute.

He shared that even if they collect school fees, it is not 'mending the school expenditure.' Sekhose informed that salaries for the month of April have been paid to most of the teachers, except for the kindergarten teachers who have been paid only half salaries.

"The salaries which are paid is mostly from personal side, not from the school income," he said adding that waiving off schools fees is 'next to impossible' as even with full fees they are finding it difficult to manage the salaries.