The Block Education Officer (BEO) issued a notice to East West Academy in Rajajinagar seeking explanation for allegedly asking parents of wards, who had obtained admission under RTE quota, to pay for the seat.
A group of parents staged a protest on Friday in front of the office of the BEO North Range 1. One of the protesters said that each of the parents, whose ward had got a seat under the RTE quota, was being called to the school individually and was being asked to pay Rs. 25,000 for the seat.
Nagasimha G. Rao, convenor of the RTE task force, said parents “were being exploited and forced” to pay.
Mala Prakash, RTE officer of East West Academy, claimed that the school was charging for extra activities. “We are only charging for courses in language lab, keyboard, music, dance, accent lab, yoga, music, dance. If parents want additional facilities for their children, they will have to pay.” She rubbished the parents’ claim that payment of Rs. 25,000 was made compulsory.
Gopalkrishna M., BEO North Range 1, said action would be taken against the school after it responded to the BEO’s notice.
