Protest at Greenwood High school

Parents are unhappy with canteen fees being made mandatory

June 09, 2018 08:53 pm | Updated June 10, 2018 02:30 pm IST

Parents of a school in Bengaluru staged a protest after the management demanded that they pay ‘canteen fees’ irrespective of whether the child availed of the facility or brought food from home. Angry parents also alleged that school fees for the new academic year had been increased by up to 25%.

In a letter to the principal of Greenwood High International School, Sarajapur campus, the informal parents’ association stated that mandating canteen food is against the spirit of the Council For The Indian School Certificate Examinations bylaws.

They alleged that they had been asked to pay ₹40,000 as annual canteen fees, and that it was mandatory.

“Moreover, to date, despite repeated requests by parents, the food menu has never been shared... neither any satisfactory resolution has been done on concerns over the quality of food served. We are sure the school must have placed adequate quality checks, but we, as parents, seek assurance on the quality of the food and the manner in which it is served. Making school food compulsory without addressing prevailing concerns, cannot be justified on any ground,” the letter said.

A parent, who was part of the protest, highlighted other issues, such as alleged unhygienic toilets, and lack of GPS facility in the school transportation. The other demands include formation of a formal parents’ association.

The school, in a statement, said that the principal met a delegation of parents and listened to their grievances. “He has asked them to give a written application so that he could take a call, and address each of the concerns individually. The principal, as always, has been open, and has met parents regularly. The fee hike is not as exorbitant as stated,” the statement said.

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