NEW DELHI - Get ready to dole out more for the education of your children in the capital’s schools, as the Delhi cabinet has given its nod to a fee hike for recognised un-aided private schools.

The Delhi government had constituted a committee headed by S.L. Bansal, a retired IAS officer, to examine the financial implications of implementation of the recommendations of Sixth Pay Commission for the recognised un-aided private schools.

After the Bansal Committee submitted its recommendations, a committee headed by the secretary of education department examined these.

‘A decision has been taken after due consideration of the recommendations of the Bansal Committee. The cabinet has carefully considered all aspects and has decided to suggest increase of monthly tuition fee in five slabs ranging from Rs.100-500 per month for 1,976 recognised un-aided private schools in Delhi,’ Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit told mediapersons after the cabinet meeting.

‘It has been suggested to the schools to hike tuition fee with effect from Sep 1, 2008, in case they feel that hike is unavoidable,’ she said.

‘The schools have been placed in five categories based on their present monthly tuition fees. Schools charging tuition fee up to Rs.500, Rs.501-1,000, Rs.1,001-1,500, Rs.1501-2000 and above Rs.2,000 per month may make an increase of Rs.100, Rs.200, Rs.300, Rs.400 and Rs.500 in tuition fee respectively,’ a Delhi government statement said.

‘The suggestions in respect of hike in tuition fee are not mandatory. The schools have to take their own decision in this regard though an upper limit of hike has been fixed,’ the statement added.

‘There shall not be any further increase in the tuition fee. beyond what has been cleared. till March 2010,’ the statement said.

The chief minister stated: ‘Arrears would also be similarly categorised and deposited by parents in two instalments - 1st instalment by March 31, 2009, and second by September 30, 2009. The schools, however, are at liberty to prescribe later dates.’

‘No student appearing for 10th and 12th standard board examinations in 2009 shall be harassed by any school on account of non- or delayed payment of any fees or arrears. Such students will not be denied an admit card or disallowed from appearing for the exams, or denied a school leaving certificate, or transfer certificate or any other document,’ the government statement made clear.

Dikshit said that a Grievance Redressal Committee is being constituted with the director (education) as the chairperson, two other members -including one from PTA - and a chartered accountant.

‘The committee would look into petitions filed by those schools which feel aggrieved by the suggestions. The affected schools are being requested to approach the committee along with accounts of the school within 30 days from the issue of order,’ the statement said.

‘It would resolve each grievance brought before it. It has been decided to release salary arrears to teachers of 1,976 recognised un-aided private schools in two instalments - 1st (40 percent) in April 2009 and second (60 percent) in October 2009,’ it added.

The Delhi government is already paying salaries to its employees as per recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission in all the 924-government and 217 government aided schools run by it.