BJP MLA Pravin Datke on Thursday urged the Maharashtra government to regulate fees charged by private pre-schools, arguing that the absence of oversight has allowed several institutions to impose exorbitant charges on parents.
Participating in a discussion in the State Assembly on a Government Resolution related to the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Central Nagpur MLA said ensuring equitable, affordable and quality education would require stricter regulation of the pre-primary education sector, particularly the rapidly expanding network of private playgroups, nurseries and pre-schools.
Datke alleged that some nursery schools in Nagpur were charging annual fees of up to Rs 1 lakh and called on the state government to establish a mechanism to regulate fee structures in the pre-school segment.
He also expressed concern over declining student attendance and highlighted the Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s partnership with Akanksha Foundation, under which seven civic schools with around 1,800 students are being jointly managed. According to Datke, the NMC bears 55 per cent of the expenditure under the model, while the remaining 45 per cent is funded through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions.
With plans to bring 10 more schools under the initiative, Datke urged the state government to replicate the model across Maharashtra to improve enrolment and strengthen municipal education.
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