Children dressed in school uniforms along with their parents took their fight against hefty fees charged by private school managements to the Vidhana Soudha.
They sat outside the office of Minister of State for Primary and Secondary Education Kimmane Ratnakar in Vidhana Soudha with books and pencils in hand. Suresh V.B., a parent, filed a complaint at Mr. Ratnakar’s office against a private school in Nagavara for denying admission to his two children when he refused to pay an ‘exorbitant’ fee. He and his wife complained that no action was initiated despite complaints with the education department.
Mr. Suresh, who earns his livelihood selling vegetables, was in for a rude shock when the school authorities demanded Rs.1.3 lakh for the renewal of admission for this academic year. Claiming that his children were good at academics, he said that as a last resort, he was tapping the doors of the Vidhana Soudha as complaints made to the authorities had not helped.
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When asked why he had opted for the private institution, instead of a government school, Mr. Suresh said the nearest government school was far from his residence. He also alleged that several other schools in the locality too were exploiting parents.
Education Department officials said that the parents had complained to the department, following which an inspection was conducted. “The school has asked the parents to pay around Rs. 22,000 for both the children, but the parents are refusing to do so,” a department official said. However, the source pointed out that the report was submitted to the department and senior officials would have to decide the future course of action.