At this school, students can drink water and use the loo only at specific times
Parents outside the director of primary education’s office on Tuesday, the school premises on Paud Road and parents inside the office with their plaints
By Sukhada Khandge
Parents have complained to the director of primary education over MIT Vishwashanti Gurukul School’s new regulations, which they deem unnecessary and coercive
Reasonable rules and regulations are the backbone of any competent educational institute, but MIT Vishwashanti Gurukul School seems to have taken it too far.
Parents are complaining that the school, located on Paud Road, has issued a list of rules in students’ diaries, that are both complicated and unnecessary. Parents have also been made to sign an affidavit with references to various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The school can file complaints under these if parents do not abide by the rules.
The rules state that female students must not wear underclothes of any colour other than white or beige under their uniforms. Also, toilets can be used only within a specific time stipulated in the timetable except during emergencies and on medical grounds. The school has also levied a fine of Rs 500 if students are found using drinking water or using electricity unnecessarily and a similar fine if sanitary waste is not disposed of in the prescribed box. Apart from this, parents will bear the cost of cleaning if their kids drop food or other items in class.
Jyoti Nirmal, whose daughter is in Class IV, said, “Cleanliness, saving electricity and water and personal hygiene are all important, but the school should spread awareness such that students follow the rules on their own, instead of imposing fines.”
She added, “As far as innerwear of female students goes, it wasn’t necessary for it to be included in the diary. Both parents and students are mature and aware enough to ensure this. Also, the school is charging extra even for library usage. If we’re already paying fees, why must there be extra charges for everything?”
The school also charges Rs 1,500 annually for cycle parking and asks parents to donate books to its library. Those who donate get free access, while others must pay Rs 500 as a deposit and Rs 100 as monthly charges.
Gajendra Patil, another parent whose son is in Class V, alleged, “The school has been harassing parents who go against its rules. I had paid the fees by cheque, but the school deposited it too late and it bounced. I was out of town at the time. As soon as I returned, I went to pay the fees again in cash. But, the school did not accept this and kept my child away for eight days. He is now scared of going to school at all.”
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Parents also complained that the school warned students to get the affidavits signed by Wednesday else they would not receive their ID cards and would be removed from the premises.
Responding to their plaints, Dinkar Temkar, director, (primary) education, Pune, said, “Some of the rules in the diary and affidavit are not as per regulations. I have ordered the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) education officer to make inquiries.”
Shivaji Daundkar, PMC‘s education officer, said, “I have appointed two officers from our department and they will start making inquiries on Wednesday.”
However, Swati Chate, executive director, MIT Group of Institutions, said, “Due to some earlier unpleasant experiences, we decided to include the rules in the diary. Parents should have approached us or the principal if they had problems. However, if the education department suggests changes, we will carry them out.”
Chate added, “While the rules state that there is a schedule for use of toilets, we have never stopped students from using them. We have CCTVs installed and one can check how often students are allowed.”
Alleging that parents are often in the wrong, too, Dr Shreedhar Saraswati, project manager, MIT Vishwashanti Gurukul School, said, “Parents often submit forged letters for admissions or certificates and must be held responsible if such cases are revealed. Thus, we have brought in the IPC sections.”
Elaborating further, Padma Giri Dhanya, principal of the school, said, “We have a strict dress code for female students. Coloured innerwear under a white uniform may encourage teasing, which is why we forbid it.”
Dhanya added, “As for the cycle parking charges, we have CCTV cameras and security personnel who look after the vehicles. Those who are serious about the security of their cycles can pay the fees.”
Interestingly, while the school also has strict norms over spoken English — students are issued green, yellow and red cards for speaking incorrectly or in regional languages — the rules themselves had quite a few errors.
For instance, one read, ‘If the students made unclean the classroom by pouring food particles or dust or papers purposely and it will take as an irresponsible act, the person/s who has involved in that act is responsible to clean the same.’
Another read, ‘If there is any issues or bullying or any misbehaviour, less educational results or any other school related issues, the parents will be called by an official note/SMS and discuss the issues in detail’ (sic).
Parents have complained to the director of primary education over MIT Vishwashanti Gurukul School’s new regulations, which they deem unnecessary and coercive
Reasonable rules and regulations are the backbone of any competent educational institute, but MIT Vishwashanti Gurukul School seems to have taken it too far.
Parents are complaining that the school, located on Paud Road, has issued a list of rules in students’ diaries, that are both complicated and unnecessary. Parents have also been made to sign an affidavit with references to various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The school can file complaints under these if parents do not abide by the rules.
From specific times for using the toilet to a schedule for drinking water, and even a rather obvious rule about the colour of female students’ innerwear, parents are hotly debating the wording and manner in which these rules have been presented. The new term started on June 15 and students received the diaries on July 2. On Tuesday, parents met the director of primary education and complained about the matter, asking that the list be removed from the diary.
PICS: DHANANJAY HELWADE
The rules state that female students must not wear underclothes of any colour other than white or beige under their uniforms. Also, toilets can be used only within a specific time stipulated in the timetable except during emergencies and on medical grounds. The school has also levied a fine of Rs 500 if students are found using drinking water or using electricity unnecessarily and a similar fine if sanitary waste is not disposed of in the prescribed box. Apart from this, parents will bear the cost of cleaning if their kids drop food or other items in class.
Jyoti Nirmal, whose daughter is in Class IV, said, “Cleanliness, saving electricity and water and personal hygiene are all important, but the school should spread awareness such that students follow the rules on their own, instead of imposing fines.”
She added, “As far as innerwear of female students goes, it wasn’t necessary for it to be included in the diary. Both parents and students are mature and aware enough to ensure this. Also, the school is charging extra even for library usage. If we’re already paying fees, why must there be extra charges for everything?”
The school also charges Rs 1,500 annually for cycle parking and asks parents to donate books to its library. Those who donate get free access, while others must pay Rs 500 as a deposit and Rs 100 as monthly charges.
Gajendra Patil, another parent whose son is in Class V, alleged, “The school has been harassing parents who go against its rules. I had paid the fees by cheque, but the school deposited it too late and it bounced. I was out of town at the time. As soon as I returned, I went to pay the fees again in cash. But, the school did not accept this and kept my child away for eight days. He is now scared of going to school at all.”
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Parents also complained that the school warned students to get the affidavits signed by Wednesday else they would not receive their ID cards and would be removed from the premises.
Responding to their plaints, Dinkar Temkar, director, (primary) education, Pune, said, “Some of the rules in the diary and affidavit are not as per regulations. I have ordered the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) education officer to make inquiries.”
Shivaji Daundkar, PMC‘s education officer, said, “I have appointed two officers from our department and they will start making inquiries on Wednesday.”
However, Swati Chate, executive director, MIT Group of Institutions, said, “Due to some earlier unpleasant experiences, we decided to include the rules in the diary. Parents should have approached us or the principal if they had problems. However, if the education department suggests changes, we will carry them out.”
Chate added, “While the rules state that there is a schedule for use of toilets, we have never stopped students from using them. We have CCTVs installed and one can check how often students are allowed.”
Alleging that parents are often in the wrong, too, Dr Shreedhar Saraswati, project manager, MIT Vishwashanti Gurukul School, said, “Parents often submit forged letters for admissions or certificates and must be held responsible if such cases are revealed. Thus, we have brought in the IPC sections.”
Elaborating further, Padma Giri Dhanya, principal of the school, said, “We have a strict dress code for female students. Coloured innerwear under a white uniform may encourage teasing, which is why we forbid it.”
Dhanya added, “As for the cycle parking charges, we have CCTV cameras and security personnel who look after the vehicles. Those who are serious about the security of their cycles can pay the fees.”
Interestingly, while the school also has strict norms over spoken English — students are issued green, yellow and red cards for speaking incorrectly or in regional languages — the rules themselves had quite a few errors.
For instance, one read, ‘If the students made unclean the classroom by pouring food particles or dust or papers purposely and it will take as an irresponsible act, the person/s who has involved in that act is responsible to clean the same.’
Another read, ‘If there is any issues or bullying or any misbehaviour, less educational results or any other school related issues, the parents will be called by an official note/SMS and discuss the issues in detail’ (sic).
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