Questions are being raised after Mahatma Gandhi Memorial High School implemented a Student Welfare Levy of $250 per student per year from next year.
Jitesh Patel, the President of Gujarat Education Society, which manages the school, says they have been committed for over 70 years to providing quality, inclusive, and holistic education to all their students.
He says that however, in recent years, the cost of operating the school as well as maintaining and improving the facilities, organising school events and carrying out extra-curricular activities has significantly increased.
Patel says the Free Education Grant alone is not enough to sustain these costs and to ensure that they continue to provide a safe, well-equipped, and enriching learning environment, they will implement the levy.
The Association President says this levy will contribute directly towards improving the educational experience of the students, including maintenance and upgrade of facilities and equipment, extracurricular activities, as well as other operational needs of the school.
While speaking to fijivillage News, Patel says that student enrolment at the school will not depend on whether they pay the levy.
He says if parents are unable to pay it, they can speak with the school to discuss a way forward.
The Ministry of Education has not made any comments as yet.
