Parents go online to protest fee hike

The Shri Ram School's proposed fee hike for its Gurgaon branches has bothered parents for long. And the discontent recently turned conspicuous with parents floating an online signature campaign against the “unfair burden” on them, reports Ritika Chopra.

The Shri Ram School's proposed fee hike for its Gurgaon branches has bothered parents for long. And the discontent recently turned conspicuous with parents floating an online signature campaign against the “unfair burden” on them.

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The online petition, which is being circulated among parents for the last four days,has over 200 signatures already, and is addressed to Director Mark Parkinson and expresses "collective concern" regarding the increase in fee. The petition can be viewed on http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/tsrsparents?e.

And that’s not all. A group of 15 parents has sent a letter (a copy of which is with HT) to Haryana Education Minister Mange Ram asking for urgent intervention "keeping in mind the financial burden parents are facing".

“No one is against salary increases to teachers or some of that being recovered from parents. But the institution has to bear a bigger proportion of the financial burden. As per the new fee structure, 85 per cent of the burden is being borne by parents," said a parent, whose daughter studies in the Moulsari branch.

According to a Jan 16 school circular, parents are required to pay, by Feb 6, Rs 23,000 in three installments to clear the salary arrears of teachers. That apart, the annual fee has been increased from Rs 48,000 to 68,000.

"I send both my girls to Moulsari and I have to pay Rs 64,000 towards teachers' salary arrears," said another parent.

Meanwhile Manju Bharat Ram, chairperson of the foundation that runs the Shri Ram Schools said, “School authorities can’t bear the burden because we are running in red. I understand parents' anxiety and think this issue just needs clarification.”