Sujata Mohite, a resident of Vashi, has alleged that St Lawrence School of Ryan Group in Vashi denied admission to her son in Class II, since she is a single parent. Ms. Mohite, who recorded a video of the conversation on Wednesday with the principal, Saira Kennedy, posted it on social media after which it went viral.
Ms. Kennedy in the video said it is difficult for the school to handle single parents and hence they do not give admission to children of single parents. Ms. Mohite then asked what if the parents undergo divorce after the admission, to which Ms. Kennedy said then it would be unfortunate but the admission of that child won’t be cancelled.
“My son was studying in a ICSE school and since I am a working parent, I could not find time to take his lessons. Hence I planned to shift him to the State board,” Ms. Mohite said. She claimed that when she first enquired with the school on a landline number she learnt that there was a seat in Class II. “On reaching the school, I was denied admission after they learnt that I was a single parent and gave reason that the admissions were full. Later, I called up the school from a different number and I was told that I could take admission. On Wednesday, I went again, the principal said there is no admission for my son. Then I recorded the further conversation.”
In the video, Ms. Mohite is heard saying she is a working parent and can afford the fees. Ms. Kennedy said she didn’t wish to speak or argue with her any more. Ms. Mohite posted a complaint on Ryan Group’s Facebook page following which the management called her to understand the issue. Now she is awaiting a call from the management about her son’s admission.
Several calls and text messages to Ms. Kennedy were unanswered.
Ryan Group in a statement said, “As an educational institution, we do not discriminate in admitting students under any criteria nor do we have any such policy for parents. In the given case, as the video has just come to our attention, we are investigating the issue and will take appropriate action.”
