Srinagar: Private Schools’ Association of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday announced 100 per cent fee waiver to the wards of the families who had no income during the lockdown period.
Private Schools’ Association of J&K (PSAJK) after lengthy deliberations with Parents Association of Privately Administered Schools (PAPAS), trade bodies and representatives of tourism, transporters and other sectors have decided to announce a major fee waiver scheme for students, whose family income has been severely impacted by the present COVID19 lockdown.
The press conference was attended by G N Var President PSAJK, Sheikh Ashiq, President KCCI, Asma Goni Convener PAPAS, representatives of Kashmir Traders & Manufacturers Association, Kashmir HouseBoat Owners Association, Kashmir Transport Welfare Association, All Kashmir Auto Rikshaw Association, Kashmir Tourist Taxi/Maxi Cab Transporters Federation and others.
The Association said that the private schools are very much part of the society and they have been equally affected by the lockdown. “We are all together in it. The only way by which we can come out stronger from these trying circumstances is when we help each other,” said G N Var president PSAJK.
“On one hand, we have to consider the families who have experienced almost zero income during this lockdown period and on the other hand we have to take care of thousands of employees of private schools. Thankfully, together with all the stakeholders, we have managed to create a balance between the two.”
The Association said that those families who had zero income during this period will be given upto 100 percent fee waiver. “Those students whose family income has become zero don’t need to worry about any extra burden. However, the students whose parents are government employees, traders in medicine, grocery or doing such jobs which ensure direct or indirect income, will have to pay full fee,” said Var.
The Association had classified the private schools in two groups based on the fee slab of Rs 800 per month. “Schools with a fee slab of Rs 800 or lower per month will give upto 50 percent discount to deserving students. They are economy schools and these calculations have been made considering various factors,” said Var. “The schools where fee is above Rs 800 will provide upto 100 percent fee waiver to deserving students.”
It said that to ensure that the benefit reaches to each and every deserving student, every case will be approved after proper verification by concerned school management and a team of PSAJK. The Association said that all those students whose parents fall in the category of such low or no income category should submit an application for fee waiver with their respective schools and or at PSAJK office by or before 07 July 2020. No application will be entertained after the said date. “The applications will be cleared in expedited mode after verification,” said Var.
“Regarding non-affected families or whose income continued during the lockdown period, they should clear all of their dues immediately,” said Var.

KR Desk