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Showing contexts for: Lockdown in Independent Schools Association vs State Of Himachal Pradesh & Anr on 24 August, 2020Matching Fragments
Whether the reporters of the local papers may be allowed to see the Judgment?
::: Downloaded on - 24/08/2020 20:21:47 :::HCHP 2Jyotsna Rewal Dua, Judge .
Central point of both these writ petitions is a notification dated 27.5.2020 issued by the Director, Higher Education, Himachal Pradesh regarding collection of fee and other charges by the Privately Managed Schools in the respondent-State during COVID-19 lockdown period. Therefore, these writ petitions are taken up together for disposal.
2. Facts common to both the writ petitions are;
2(i) Due to nationwide lockdown and curfew imposed in the respondent-State because of unprecedented situation emerging from COVID-19 pandemic, all the schools in the State were ordered to be closed w.e.f. 14.3.2020. On account of its geographical location, State of Himachal Pradesh has Winter Closing Schools with academic session from January to December well as Summer Closing Schools. Academic session in the winter closing school had already started by the time of imposition of lockdown.
4. Other funds like building fund, maintenance fund, sports fund, computer fee, co-curricular fee etc. may be deferred during the period of lockdown.
5. No transportation Fee shall be charged during the period of lockdown.
6. No students shall be deprived of online classes/reading material in case of inability to pay the fee because of financial crisis due to lockdown.
7. If any parent did not deposit the tuition fee during the lockdown period, no fine be charged and name of the students may not be struck off from the school roll.
b) No fine can be charged in case of non-payment of tuition fee during lockdown period.
c) Name of student cannot be struck off from the school on account of non-payment of tuition fee. Such a student cannot be deprived of the facility of online classes/reading material.
Transport charges Private schools cannot charge any transportation fee during lockdown period.
Other Funds Collection of building funds, maintenance fund, sports fund, computer fee, co-curricular fee etc. will stand .