Assam Adharsha schools to impose development fees on students

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Adarsha Vidyalaya Sanghathan, Assam (AVSA) has decided to impose a nominal fee of Rs 300 per month in the form of 'school development fee (SDF)' for the students of all functional adharsha vidyalayas located in different educationally backward blocks of Assam from the current academic session. The AVSA has, however, exempted students belonging to economically deprived families from paying such fees.

The AVSA has decided following the decision taken at the review meeting of the State Education Department held on July 17, 2022, under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

The AVSA has said in an order issued on November 9, 2022, that it will keep 20 per cent of the total seats in every class reserved for students coming from economically backward families with the facilities of fee exemption. School principals will ensure the actual economic status of the applicant students for availing fee exemption. The school management-cum-development committees (SMDCs) will have to approve the lists of economically backward students to be prepared by the principals.

According to the order, the existing students of Adharsha Vidyalayas shall have to take fresh admission when upgraded or promoted to higher classes.

The schools will have to deposit the collected fees to the AVSA account. The AVSA will allow 50 per cent of the amount so collected for spending for a few purposes -- engaging three (maximum) voluntary educators daily for 20 days a month. The educators are for teaching sports, physical education, music, and art and craft. An educator will get Rs 500 per day as an honorarium. The school authorities can also use the amount for light refreshments for various meetings, training, and celebration of days of national and international importance, besides regular cleaning of toilets. However, the principal can spend Rs 5,000 per month only in case of any unforeseen expense like medical emergency etc.

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