Private schools are shying away from forming PTAs to curb opposition to fee hikes

After the Right to Education (RTE) Act was implemented in April 2010, it became mandatory for schools to set up a Parents Teachers Association (PTA).

As NGOs are busy training parents of children studying in BMC schools on the formation of PTAs, the Forum for Fairness in Education (FFE) claims that 70% of city schools, including most unaided private schools under alternate education boards, have yet to form PTAs. The main purpose behind this move is to avoid opposition from parents to hiking school fees.

While PTAs are formed after an election, the forum alleges that most schools nominate certain parents to ensure a favourable response in case of a fee hike.

P Patil, Deputy Education Officer, BMC, said, "The rule of forming a PTA came into force when the RTE was implemented.

Around five to nine per cent of city-based aided schools have formed them, but most unaided schools which come under alternate state boards are yet to do so. As certain states have challenged the Act, these schools have decided to wait and see. We will wait for the Court's order to decide what to do with such schools."

Jayant Jain, All India Federation of PTA, agrees that a majority of schools are defaulting, and it is harmful in the long run. "A PTA is necessary to ensure a control over school fees. The government should take strict action against violation of RTE rules."