The Manipur government on Monday directed the schools of the state to collect school fees till March, but without any hike.

"School fees should be collected only up to March 2020 without any hike. However, admission fees may be collected," said Manipur education minister Thokchom Radheshyam Singh.

The notification comes in the wake of the closure of all educational institutions following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Further, the minister made it clear that the salary of the staff from April to July should be paid in full.

Meanwhile, the Manipur State Education Commissioner has issued an official notification in which it said, "Schools may collect monthly fees, including tuition fee under any nomenclature, up to March 2020 without any hike."

The order also grouped schools into three categories depending upon the number of enrolment.

The order, thus, accordingly laid down norms of school fees and staff's salary to be ensured by the schools with effect from April to July.

The order directed the schools with an enrolment of less than  200 and schools with an enrolment of 200 to 700 students must not charge any tuition fee.

"Such schools, however, must ensure teachers and non-teaching staff are paid 50 pc of their salary. The payment may be made after the lockdown," the order said.

"Schools having an enrolment above 700 students should not charge any fee and at the same time ensure full salaries of teachers and non-teaching staff," the order further said.

The order further said that if the fees have been already collected for the three months, then the schools will have to adjust it with subsequent months in future.

The department further said that it was mandatory for all schools to fully comply with the order.

"If any school fails to comply with the order, then the same may be to the department through manipur.education.s@gmail.com along with details and proof," the order added.

It may be mentioned here that there are over 1000 private schools in Manipur.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the closure of the schools, effecting the academic calendar immensely.

ALSO READ | Tripura To Launch New Education Initiatives