Military Schools In Maharashtra Witness Steep Fee Hike After 20 Years
Military Schools In Maharashtra Witness Steep Fee Hike After 20 Years ( Representational Image )
In a significant development, the school education department of Maharashtra has revised the policy for military schools, resulting in a substantial fee hike for students. The annual fee has been increased to Rs 50,000, a whopping rise from the previous fee of Rs 15,000, which was fixed in 2002-03. This hike comes after a gap of nearly two decades and aims to enhance the quality of education in these institutions.
The revised policy, approved by the State Cabinet on September 30, is designed to increase the percentage of students selected for the National Defense Academy (NDA). The policy change is expected to impact the 38 aided military schools across Maharashtra.
According to the revised policy, education will be imparted in English, and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) syllabus will be implemented to align with NDA and other competitive examinations. The academic year will run from April 1 to March 31. Additionally, it has been made mandatory for all Class 12 students to take the NDA entrance exam.
The fee hike has been justified citing rising inflation and the need for modernization. The department has clarified that the provisions of the Maharashtra Educational Institutions (Regulation of Fees) 2011 will continue to apply to these schools.
Other initiatives under the revised policy include the introduction of co-education facilities, free uniforms, modernization of laboratories and libraries, and organization of hackathons. While the policy aims to enhance the quality of education, the steep fee hike may pose a challenge for some students.
The implementation of the revised policy will be monitored closely, and schools that fail to meet the required standards risk being converted into general aided schools, with their allocated land being reclaimed. With this significant overhaul, Maharashtra’s military schools are set for a transformative change.
