Pimpri-Chinchwad: Parents demand schools roll back their fee hike

Pimpri: The coronavirus pandemic has not only hampered the health of citizens but is has caused a number of other problems including the financial crisis. Despite the appeal and guidelines issued by the state government in regards to an increase in fees of the schools, still, the situation seems to be grim. The parents are forced by some educational institutes to pay the fees.

In defiance of the Maharashtra state government's order, parents are being harassed by schools for charging exorbitant fees. The children's online classes have been shut down due to non-payment of fees. Parents have raised the issue as well as lodged several complaints with the education department alleging that the school's WhatsApp group has been publicly soliciting fees, which has affected their children's mental health. However, despite several written complaints, no action has been taken against such schools.

The lockdown has put a financial strain on parents. When the school is closed, even when the student is not going to school, the educational institute is allegedly demanding full-year school fees, including the bus fare, outbound activities fees, examination, meal charges for three months.

At a school in Pimpri Camp, a student's parents did not pay for her online education. So her online education was stopped by the school. Also, the school's WhatsApp group has been giving public notices like "First Warning" and "Second Warning" to the student to pay the fees for the month of March to May.

The entrance test was conducted for class IV in a school in Nigdi. The student denied examination and thus failed. It is an offence under the Right to Education (RTE) Act to conduct such examinations, though the Department of Education has not taken any action, the parents said.

Aziz Shaikh, one of the parents, said, “My daughter is insulted openly by the school authorities and it has now started affecting her mentally. Strict action should be taken against such schools.”

When asked, Jyotsana Shinde, Administration Officer, Education Department of Maharashtra state she said, “Notices have been issued on such schools at the municipal level. Some schools have moved to court, due to which matter has become subjudice. We are in process and it will be proposed to de-recognise these schools.”