The Education Commissioner of Maharashtra Vishal Solanki informed the department officials that there will be no hike in fees for the 2021-2022 academic session.

According to the letter issued by the Joint Director of Primary Education Dinkar Temkar, the officials of the education department have been directed to check whether the fee of the schools in 2021-2022 have been hiked according to the Fee Regulation Act of 2011 and 2016.

Earlier, the representatives of various parent associations met Solanki regarding the issue.

The letter also informed about the formation of the grievances redressal committee to address the issues.

The letter also informs about a ‘Letter of Guarantee’ received by schools from parents at the time of admission that states that an appropriate action must be taken against the schools in case any parent complaints against such an issue.

"As directed by the high court, non-payment of fee, partial payment of fee or delay in payment of fee are issues related to parents. In such scenarios, students should not suffer educational loss and schools cannot deny online education to these students'' added letter. Schools under the RTE (Right to Education) Act have also been directed to submit the audit reports and if they fail to do so, their fee will not be reimbursed, added the letter.

Earlier, the Parents Association of Pune, Cops Students Organisation, and other related bodies met the Education Commissioner to discuss fee hikes by private schools and denial of online education to several students.

Solanki has ordered the officials of the education department to conduct audits within the next 10 days of the schools who have allegedly hiked fees.