Shillong Jun 08: Meghalaya deputy chief minister, Prestone Tynsong on Monday informed that tuition fees would be reduced by 50 per cent for three months in government aided, deficit and deficit pattern schools in the state.

This decision was taken during a review meeting chaired by chief minister, Conrad K Sangma.

Deputy chief minister, Prestone Tynsong told reporters that after thorough discussions, and based on the proposal of the education department, it was decided that all government aided, deficit, and deficit-pattern schools should reduce 50 per cent of the tuition fees for three months – April, May and June.

Tynsong said that after schools and colleges were shut down since March 17 in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government has received many petitions that school fees/tuition fees should be reduced or done away with.

“After thorough discussions, it was decided that all government aided, deficit, and deficit-pattern schools should reduce 50 per cent of the tuition fees for three months. This is considered especially for poor families directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Tynsong said.

He informed that a notification would be issued by the state education department in this regard.

Tynsong said that those schools that have already collected the tuition fee for the said three months, the fees should be adjusted.

Tynsong also informed that for private schools, no other fees should be charged for three months – April, May and June, except tuition fee.

He however said that the education department would still discuss with representatives of private schools on reducing the tuition fees as well.