GCC Demands Raised Playground Fees From 19 George Town Government Aided Schools
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has demanded revised user charges from 19 government-aided schools in George Town for accessing the Rajasthan Playground on Annapillai Street during school hours this academic year. The decision has disrupted sports activities for students, many of whom are preparing for upcoming sports events and may lose access to the facility because their schools cannot afford the increased fees.
A number of government-aided schools in the congested central business district of George Town lack their own playgrounds and depend heavily on GCC-maintained spaces for physical education. Under the revised fee structure, the charges for higher secondary schools to access the modernised playgrounds were raised from ₹1 lakh to ₹2.09 lakh. Meanwhile, charges for private schools were increased from ₹5 lakh to ₹10.45 lakh.
Because these government-aided schools cater to underprivileged children and do not collect fees from them, they are unable to afford the steep increase in user charges. Representatives from the schools have requested a waiver of the fees, warning that students preparing for competitive sports events this academic year are likely to lose access to the playground if the charges are enforced.
GCC Commissioner G.S. Sameeran stated that the civic body will not restrict school children from using the playgrounds. However, he noted that user charges must be collected from private and aided schools in accordance with an existing Council resolution.
"Some of the aided schools have expressed difficulty in paying the user charges since they cater to poor children and fees are not being collected by them," Sameeran said. He added that the corporation is currently taking a liberal view by permitting students to use the grounds during their scheduled P.T. hours.
Despite this temporary arrangement, the Chennai Corporation Council has yet to make a final decision regarding the schools' request for a complete waiver of the playground charges.
