School fee row: Parents move West Bengal rights body
A group of parents has complained to the West Bengal Human Rights Commission that they are being forced by private schools to immediately pay fees, failing which their children would be expelled. More than 3,000 parents of wards, from around 250 private schools in the city and surroundings, in the group — United Parents’ Protection Forum — are pushing for a fee waiver.
Representative imageKOLKATA: A group of parents has complained to the West Bengal Human Rights Commission that they are being forced by private schools to immediately pay fees, failing which their children would be expelled. More than 3,000 parents of wards, from around 250 private schools in the city and surroundings, in the group — United Parents’ Protection Forum — are pushing for a fee waiver.
Parents have attached details of the communication that they had received from the schools, asking for immediate clearance of dues in the first quarter. “Many of us have lost jobs, many have taken huge salary cuts and others have had their businesses folded up. We have pleaded with the administrations to temporarily stop charging us for services that the children are not using, but they are not willing to listen to our problems at all,” the letter read.
“Private schools are stooping so low that they are sending messages directly to students leaving them depressed over the inability of their parents to pay up. This, we think, is a gross violation of human rights,” the letter added.
“We are not unwilling to pay the tuition fees, but why charge us session fees or re-admission fees at such a time?” asked Sanjeev Sharma, whose daughter studies at an English-medium school for girls in Park Circus. “Schools have told us that they are not being able to pay salaries to their staff. We asked them to give us the calculation of the total payout and we guarantee that parents will pay that amount,” said Vevek Singhi, whose daughter studies at a reputable girls’ school off Shakespeare Sarani.
“I will have to analyze the complaints. The Commission takes cognizance of issues and after investigation, alerts the government,” said WBHRC chairman Girish Chandra Gupta. “This is unprecedented, but these are extraordinary times,” said member, Naparajit Mukherjee.
Parents have attached details of the communication that they had received from the schools, asking for immediate clearance of dues in the first quarter. “Many of us have lost jobs, many have taken huge salary cuts and others have had their businesses folded up. We have pleaded with the administrations to temporarily stop charging us for services that the children are not using, but they are not willing to listen to our problems at all,” the letter read.
“Private schools are stooping so low that they are sending messages directly to students leaving them depressed over the inability of their parents to pay up. This, we think, is a gross violation of human rights,” the letter added.
“We are not unwilling to pay the tuition fees, but why charge us session fees or re-admission fees at such a time?” asked Sanjeev Sharma, whose daughter studies at an English-medium school for girls in Park Circus. “Schools have told us that they are not being able to pay salaries to their staff. We asked them to give us the calculation of the total payout and we guarantee that parents will pay that amount,” said Vevek Singhi, whose daughter studies at a reputable girls’ school off Shakespeare Sarani.
“I will have to analyze the complaints. The Commission takes cognizance of issues and after investigation, alerts the government,” said WBHRC chairman Girish Chandra Gupta. “This is unprecedented, but these are extraordinary times,” said member, Naparajit Mukherjee.
All Comments ()+^ Back to Top
Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive. Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.
HIDE