The Loreto Schools have made a special request to parents to “act in a spirit of cooperation and consideration for others” to get through the “crisis without conflict”.

The schools have said in a circular that although profit is not the priority, the institutions need to be kept afloat and functional to ensure that the “staff are paid and their dependence on the schools are addressed”.

The eight unaided Loreto schools in the state — six in Calcutta and one each in Darjeeling and Asansol — have issued an appeal to parents and guardians: those who do not need to avail of the reduction of fees may inform the schools.

“Profit, financial benefit and money are not our priorities. However, the reality is that we need to keep the schools afloat and functional, and to ensure that our staff are paid and their dependence on the schools are addressed. Our teachers and staff depend on us for their livelihoods and existence. We must look after them, and look out for them at all costs through these hard times,” the circular says.

The circular has been uploaded over Thursday and Friday on the websites of the schools, communicating compliance with a high court order for a 20 per cent reduction in tuition fees. It said all Loreto schools had unanimously adopted resolutions implementing the points of the order.

Addressing parents, guardians and staff, the circular said all those who are part of the Loreto family know that they have a lot of other responsibilities to society and to those who are “less fortunate than us”. That is where a lot of the costs arise, dealing with basics as widely varying as food rations, clothes, books, mobile top-ups and sanitary materials, the circular said.

“It is for those in our family who have enough to choose to give what they can for others in need, for whom Loreto is a means of survival. The simplest way to do that is through making payment of fees so that we can use the money in the way we always have, to cover our costs and for the betterment of others,” the circular added.

“We still incur heavy expenses in each of our schools towards our social commitment and helping the needy students, and those less fortunate than us. For this reason, we appeal to those who do not need to avail the reduction of 20 per cent fees, to write or communicate to us immediately... this small gesture on your part will help reduce our burden and our concern for the coming months ahead.

“We request all to act in the spirit of cooperation and consideration for others to help us get through this crisis without conflict. We are here to help you, for your child is as much our responsibility.”

A member of the Loreto Education Board said that concessions had always been provided to a large number of students, and during the pandemic they had increased. “We have given further concession to students whose families suffered financial losses. We have provided support like data recharge, smart phones wherever necessary to ensure that where learning is concerned students should not suffer,” said the Loreto Education Board member.

The circular said: “You have trusted us with your children to educate them and instil values in them. We ask you to help us, as we also trust you as part of our family to stand by us. We hope that those who can do without the concessions and understand the practical issues of keeping the schools alive and running will stand by us in our times of need, just as we stand by all of you.”

The schools have said that the Loreto way of life has never been about marks alone but also about being good human beings and helping each other.

“We hope, pray and trust that these values will show in all of us, and come back from our entire family of staff, parents and administrators, and we will get through all of this together, helping those in need, making sure we maintain as much normalcy as possible for our children, and with the greatest good to the greatest number,” the circular said.