Kolkata, June 10: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday urged private schools in West Bengal not to hike fees this year owing to the critical economical situation due to the COVID-19 crisis. She also indicated that closure of schools may be extended for a month beyond June 30. Also Read | PM Narendra Modi, Benjamin Netanyahu Discuss India-Israel Collaboration in Post COVID-19 World.

"It's my request to the private schools not to hike fees this year. This time the schools were closed. I urge you because people do not have money in their hands," she said.

"No doubt the students are affected in a way because the schools are closed. We decided to keep the schools closed till June 30, but I think it may continue in July as well," she said. Also Read | ICC Defers Decision on Fate of T20 World Cup Until Next Month: Live Breaking News Headlines & Coronavirus Updates, June 10, 2020:.

Schools and higher educational institutions in West Bengal are closed since March 16 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)