School PTA refutes allegations of illegal fund collection

The Parents-Teachers Association of Government Ganapath Model Girls Higher Secondary School has refuted the allegations of illegal fund collection levelled by a former temporary staff.

Shaji Puthalath, president of the association, told the media here on Thursday that only the fees mandated by the government were being collected from students. He claimed that the maximum amount collected towards PTA fund from the students was ₹100. This had been waived for students from poor economic backgrounds too.

Earlier, P. Dayadharan, who used to work as a temporary night watchman, had accused the school authorities of collecting PTA funds from students in violation of rules. He had also alleged that capitation fee was also being charged for admissions and the Headmistress and the Principal were showing political bias. Mr. Dayadharan claimed that the election to the PTA committee was based on political basis and M.K. Muneer, the local MLA, was being ignored while taking up development works.

Mr. Shaji said that Mr. Dayadharan had been employed temporarily by the PTA and his services were terminated when they were faced with funds crunch. He said that the election to the PTA committee had been held following democratic norms and representatives from all political parties had been its members. Dr. Muneer had recently allocated ₹1 crore from the MLA’s fund to the school for constructing a building and the works were expected to start soon, Mr. Shaji said, adding that he had never been ignored.