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Direct Benefit Transfer to needy parents or loans to schools: ANPSA
Dimapur, June 18 (MExN): The All Nagaland Private Schools Association (ANPSA) has sought the Nagaland state government’s intervention to tide over the crisis posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In a press release issued on June 18, it held that the government should consider helping low income parents, whose wards are studying in private schools, besides, rolling out loans to the private schools.
According to the ANPSA, private school teachers and staff need as much help as the needy students in the current situation. If not, schools may have to shutdown, it said.
“There are many students who already study in private schools either free or at concessional rates. But at this moment we are the ones who need help the most because of non payment of fees by even parents who can pay the fees. We are able to absorb non-payment of fees by parents only because of the sacrifice of the teachers, staff and schools,” it said.
Fee concessions would save parents a few hundred rupees but it held that it would cost dear on the teachers and other staff as it would compel salary cut. Further, it said that most private schools are run without any government aid.
While stating that private school fees in Nagaland are relatively low, it said, “The question today is not just about waiving of fees but more about whether teachers and school staff should get their salaries or not,” ANPSA said.
Plight of schools
It further said that no private enterprise may be helping the parents and students financially as much as private schools during the pandemic. “You will not find discounts in grocery stores, or months of credit from anywhere without any assurance of payment. Instead of thanking us, we are seen as insensitive to the needs of the people.”
“However at this moment, many teachers and people who are running schools are demoralized,” the Association said.
While stating that the financial situation of every school is different, ANPSA said that there are only a countable number of schools which may be without the need of financial aid from outside sources.
“We cannot waive fees as many parents who can pay fees are also not paying and schools have a lot of added expenditure. Even with full fees, many schools are unable to pay staff salaries or meet the running expenditure,” ANPSA said.
The added expenditure, ANPSA said, was because of “online classes such as internet connections, purchase of computers and other equipment, arranging transportation for teachers, providing print outs to students, following safety norms etc.”
“School buses are not running but drivers and handymen have to be paid, Hostels are not running but staff needs salaries, canteens are closed but staff needs help, schools maybe closed but maintenance staff have to be paid. Many hostels also have to pay rent. They also do not have the option to use the hostel for other purposes as they are reserved for the children,” ANPSA further said.
Suggestions to help needy parents
Stressing that only the government would be best able to save the situation, the Association offered suggestion for helping needy parents.
ANPSA stated that one way to go about it is for the government to directly transfer money to the parents through Direct Benefit Transfer.
Government may identify low income parents and directly transfer a fixed amount to the bank account of the low income parents for the education of their children, it said.
ANPSA also suggested that loans be given by the Government to private schools. “But this is a much more complicated process as all schools are different with different fee structures, staff salaries and expenditures,” it added.
In this regard, the Association said that Direct Benefit Transfer is “the best solution to save parents, students, teachers, school staff, schools and education in our state.”
While thanking those parents who are paying school fees during the pandemic, the ANPSA also requested parents to pay the school fees at the earliest.
