NSF seeks law to regulate private school fees

DIMAPUR, JUL 28 (NPN): Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has urged the state government to enact a law regulating fees in private educational institutions, saying the proposed legislation would protect the interests of students, parents, teachers and educational institutions while preventing arbitrary fee hikes.
In a representation addressed to the state chief secretary, NSF president Mteisuding and editor & education committee convenor Pithungo Shitio said the federation had undertaken an extensive study of the functioning of educational institutions in the state and acknowledged the significant contribution of private institutions in promoting quality education and achieving commendable academic results.
While recognising their credibility, the federation, however, stressed the need for proper monitoring of the recognition, establishment and functioning of private institutions to create an enabling environment for their growth.
In this regard, NSF proposed that the state government formulate and enact the Nagaland Non-Government Educational Institutions (Regulation of Fees) Act.
The federation said the proposed legislation should regulate fees and admissions in private and professional educational institutions to prevent arbitrary fee increases and harassment of students and parents.
It also sought regulation of salaries of teachers employed in private institutions, alleging that many are deprived of their rightful remuneration.
NSF said the policy should determine fees based on factors such as the location of institutions, available infrastructure, courses offered, qualifications of teaching and non-teaching staff, salary structures and annual increments, expenditure incurred per student in relation to institutional income, and other relevant parameters.
The federation maintained that the policy should be framed after consulting all stakeholders to ensure it serves the best interests of the state.
NSF, has, therefore, urged the state government to constitute a high-powered committee within one month to formulate the modalities of the proposed legislation, prepare a comprehensive policy within three months, and enact and implement the fee regulation law within six months.