Waive 50 percent tuition fee of English medium schools, guardians demand

A section of guardians demanded 50 percent waiver of tuition fees at all English medium schools due to the ongoing coronavirus situation as the authorities are conducting online classes for their students.

Bangladesh English Medium School Parents Forum made the demand at a press conference at Jatiya Press Club in the capital today.

The forum is putting forward demands as many parents of English medium school students who are working with private institutions or operating small or medium businesses are facing huge financial losses in the time of coronavirus crisis.

AKM Ashraful Haque, convenor of the forum, and its member secretary AZM Salahuddin placed a six-point demand during the press conference.

They said that studentship of any students should not be cancelled due to delayed or non-payment of tuition fees in this crisis.

Ensuring education quality at all English medium schools by formulating an acceptable policy, formation of school managing committee with representation from guardians, keeping the tuition and other fees of English medium schools at an acceptable level and formation of an autonomous regulatory body to oversee the activities of English medium schools are among the demands put forward by the forum.

"We want Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to be involved and help us meet our six-point demand," Ashraful told The Daily Star.

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, education in Bangla and English medium schools are suffering. All educational institutions remained closed since March 17. The closure was extended till August 6.

Bangladesh English Medium School Parents Forum made the demand at a press conference at Jatiya Press Club in the capital on Wednesday, July 8, 2020. Photo: Collected

Many of the countrymen are facing financial hardships and struggling to maintain their families as coronavirus has battered the economy.

Many have lost their jobs or are experiencing salary cuts as most businesses and offices remained closed during the 66-day countrywide shutdown beginning at the end of March.

Businesses and offices started to open on limited scale last month but the momentum is yet to return. Economists predict that it will be tough for the country to see economic normalcy soon.

Obhibhabok Oikya Forum, a platform of guardians, in mid-June demanded 100 percent waiver of tuition fees of all non-government schools and colleges from March to August as they are in severe financial crisis after losing income sources due to the current situation.