Ranchi, Jun 25 (IANS): A Jharkhand education department circular on Thursday disappointed parents in the state.

The parents association has condemned the education department circular which says that "there will be no hike of tuition fees during lockdown". Many states have issued guidelines that private schools will not charge tuition fees during the lockdown period.

Jharkhand Abhiwak Sangh president Ajay Rai said " We were demanding to waive off the tuition fee of lockdown period but the state govt buckled under pressure of the private schools. The state govt decision has given a weapon to private schools and demoralised the parents."

The Bharatiya Janata Party has also criticised the Jharkhand government move.

"The Hemant Soren government is insensitive towards education and students of the state. It is playing in the hands of the private schools otherwise such decisions would not have been taken" said BJP leader Rabi Bhatt.

The education department circular says "there will be no hike in school tuition by the private schools, The tuition fees will be charged as taken previously. No student admission will be cancelled in case of non payment." The circular has exempted the parents from paying bus charges for the lockdown period.

The Jharkhand Education Minister had held a meeting with the parents association and private school managements regarding fees.