PUNE: Following discontent in the parents’ associations over the proposed amendment in the Maharashtra Educational Institutes (Fee Regulation) Act (FRA), in a recent meeting, Education Minister Vinod Tawde assured the protesting parents that their requests will be taken into consideration. 

The associations found the Act to be anti-parent and largely in favour of the school managements.

As per information, the parents’ suggestions will soon be heard by Tawde in a meeting.

“A group of parents actively protesting against the amendment met the education minister to speak about the unjust provisions of the bill, mainly the one which makes it compulsory for 25 per cent of the parents of the school to come together to complain against the fee hike. The minister said that the provision was made because it was noticed that some parents took undue advantage and held school managements for ransom or resorted to violence. However, our point is that all parents cannot be made to suffer because of the actions of a few, and the act needs to be parent-friendly,” Advocate Anubha Sahai of India Wide Parents Association said.

The proposed amendment bill is likely to be passed in the forthcoming winter session of the Legislative Assembly, which will start from November 15.

Sahai said, “To discuss our suggestions, the minister said that a meeting will be scheduled in the next couple of days which will attended by legal experts as well as five parents.” She further added, “Our suggestions will be heard and discussed. This was a positive response for us, and for now, the parents are happy.”