Pvt schools levying extra fee, say parents

Ravinder Saini

Tribune News Service

Jhajjar, April 30

The row between private schools and parents from economically weaker sections (EWS) category in the district over admissions under Rule 134-A of the Haryana School Education Rules and Right to Education Act refuses to die down.

In a fresh development, such parents have accused private schools of demanding hefty fee in the name of registration, annual fund, activities fee, abacus charges, development fund and caution deposit. They have charged schools with pressurising them to buy costly books and uniforms from the school.

“My child was allotted a prominent private school under Rule 134-A on the basis of 90 per cent marks in the qualifying exam. The school is demanding Rs 71,000 in the name of various charges for giving admission. I am unable to pay such a hefty amount as my monthly earning is only Rs 7,000,” said Manoj of Silani village.

Another parent said his child’’s school had been demanding Rs 5,600 for exam, abacus, sports and other activities and Rs 4,150 for books. The school was pressurising them to buy books from the school, he alleged.

Satbir Singh Hooda, convener of the ‘2+5 Mudde Jan Andolan’, said after a meeting of such parents on Sunday that private schools were violating rules by charging extra fee while the EWS students were entitled to free education under Rule 134-A.

“As per rules, children are liable to pay for uniform, transport and books. I have asked the parents not to deposit any other fee,” he said Hooda. He added that they would approach court if the school did not stop demanding extra fee.

Surender Chauhan, District Elementary Education Officer, said as per Rule 134-A, private schools could charge for transport, examination and extra facilities being provided to students. “The EWS students are exempted from admission and tuition fee,” he stated.

Ramesh Rohila, chief of Sahodya, an association of CBSE-affiliated schools, said they were giving admission to every EWS student. “No tuition fee is being charged from students, but they are liable to pay for other facilities provided by schools,” he said.

Education Minister promises action

Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma said many complaints had been received from across the state. “The complaints are being looked into and stern action will be taken erring schools,” he said in Kasar village on Sunday.

from The Tribune https://ift.tt/2jkhTda