PUNE: In a meeting on Bansal committee report in Mumbai, the school education secretary hinted at setting up of the state level task force to regulate fees in private schools. Representatives of parents and NGOs suggested that the three-tier task force-at district, regional and state level- should be formed so the fee proposals could be processed speedily.

School education secretary Sanjay Kumar held a meeting of stakeholders in Mumbai on Wednesday to discuss Bansal committee’s recommendations on fees in private schools.

Only 10 representatives were called for the meeting and just six of them turned up for the actual discussion.

Arundhati Chavan, a member of Bansal committee and other representatives, who were present at the venue were then allowed to put forth their views.

During the discussion, Sanjay Kumar hinted at formation of task force to regulate fees.

According to sources, he outlined its possible structure mainly comprising deputy directors of education. This group will also have representatives of parents, school management and company auditors.

The schools will submit fee proposals to this task force group for approvals.

Milind Wagh and Chhaya Dev of Forum Against Commercialisation of Education demanded that schools should be allowed to charge only 5 per cent as reasonable surplus and not 15 per cent as recommended in Bansal report.

If line of discussion in the meeting is any indication, state government may well go ahead with its plan to regulate fees in private schools and involve itself as a regulator, contrary to the recommendations of the Bansal committee. Sanjay Kumar promised representatives that the government will hold discussions with stakeholders after it reaches the formal decision.

THREE-TIER REGULATORY BODYParents and NGO representatives attending the meeting suggested to set up task force at three levels. The task force at district level may process and approve school proposals, while regional and state level committee can play the role of appellate bodies, they recommended.