SCHOOL AUTHORITIES SHOULD ANNOUNCE FEE CONCESSION IN FAVOR OF DESERVING STUDENTS
G M MIR
As we all know since March 2019 Covid -19 Coronavirus not only destabilized India, it took a heavy toll globally, resulting in affecting several essential services and bringing down the economy drastically in almost all the developing and developed countries.
Among other sectors, education and health got a big jolt and the government at the Centre and State level fought tooth and nail to eradicate this menace from the face of the blue planet. All possible steps were taken to combat the pandemic so that the minimum most number of people would be affected.
Experts declared 1st wave followed by 2nd wave through different media platforms, creating chaos and confusion among people. Government at the most could ask people to stay indoors and cities and towns wore a deserted look because of lock down imposed by the concerned government authorities. To wash hands regularly, not to hug each other, maintain distance at public places and strict use of masks by the people we’re ensured by the governmental agencies. Above all vaccines for different age groups were administered free of cost by the government in different hospitals and health institutions. After one dose, another dose of Vaccine was made essential for each and every citizen, accordingly certificates in this regard were issued online by the concerned health authorities in favor of those who volunteered for vaccination.
Since my topic for today is Covid -19 and Education, therfore I may first throw light on measures initiated by the government to ensure that “Dream for Education for all” may not get affected largely. Accordingly in order to fulfill this commitment, government as well as private institutions started online classes for all the students. Both, teachers and students started their process of giving and receiving education through cell phones. Most of the parents had tough time to deal with the situation particularly for minor group of students who were not able to make use of electronic gadgets themselves to obtain online education. Since there was no option open, responsible parents particularly mothers both in-service and housewives spared their precious time to connect their child with the concerned educational institutions. In-service mothers had to face more harsh times as they had to do their duties as well. Here we should all appreciate this women folk for their great feat and effort they put in running their job, domestic chores besides they put in their energy to get details of syllabus/curriculum, daily lessons for different subjects. Besides they work hard for regular appearance of their child in weekly, monthly, bimonthly, half yearly and also final examination online. I hope that this spirit of parents particularly mothers should not die down with the improvement in COVID-19 because your child always needs your care and guidance. Pertinently, once a couple marries and they are blessed with a child by Almighty Allah (SWT), their personal life suffers a halt and their responsibility of bringing up their child efficiently begins. They are supposed to spare their precious moments and time for providing regular and proper nourishment and above all academic and moral education to their child. Parents have a big role in exposing their child to different kinds of sports, cultural and competitive activities from the very beginning. Above all a child has to learn more about his religion, ethics of humanity and spiritual lifestyle. Then only we can say the parents have done their best to some extent and should expect that the new generation will prove to be successful and bright citizens of the country. Inspite of all these efforts put in by the parents you never know that your child will go according to your choice or not. For that luck has a great role to play and we strongly believe and have faith in luck framed by Allah (SWT) for each individual.
Coming back to the topic education sector which was badly affected during Covid 19 had to be dealt with delicately and carefully. On one side COVID-19 brought down the graph of economy drastically, creating unemployment and loss of job to a big section of the population. A parent who was happily paying the tuition and other related fee to the school authorities during non Covid period, IS NOW STARVING FOR WANT OF TWO TIMES MEAL. HOW CAN HE AFFORD TO PAY THE BILLS OF EDUCATION UNDER GIVEN CIRCUMSTANCES. SO THE SCHOOL AUTHORITIES WERE DUTY BOUND TO ANNOUNCE REBATE OR SOME KIND OF CONCESSION IN FAVOR OF DESERVING FAMILIES IN RESPECT OF FEE.
Unfortunately, none of the schools announced such a decision during the two years of pandemic. THIS RESULTED IN GREAT SUFFERINGS AND ANXIETIES TO A LARGE SECTION OF PARENTS WHO WERE NOT ABLE TO PAY THE REQUIRED BILLS.
Although one can understand that the school authorities too have their own problems and they too have to pay to their staff and other school expenses as well. But at the same time, on humanitarian grounds SCHOOL AUTHORITIES CAN GIVE CONCESSION TO A SECTION OF UNDER PRIVILEGED CLASS OF THE SOCIETY- NOT ALL AND SUNDRY.
IT IS A FERVENT APPEAL TO ALL STAKEHOLDERS TO CONSIDER THE REQUEST AND ISSUE ORDERS OF CONCESSION IN FAVOR OF CONCERNED PARENTS AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.