There were protests at Khaitan Public School in Sahibabad on Wednesday morning after parents alleged that 243 of their wards, who did not deposit their enhanced fees, were expelled.
The school officials, however, denied the allegations and said that certain vested interests provoked the protests.
The parents said the school had increased fees by almost 70 per cent in the last year and was also contemplating another 30 per cent hike.
“When we refused to pay the hiked fee, they expelled 243 children. Even after repeated requested to the CBSE, district administration and education officials, no help has been provided to us,” Shekhar Bharti from Khaitan Parents’ Association told HT.
Parents said they were ready to pay the old fees which the school refuses to accept. “No school would admit our child after expulsion,” a parent said.
District officials held discussions with the school management to resolve the issue, which the school said was unduly motivated by vested interests.
During the meeting with the administration and police officials, Anirudh Khaitan — the school’s Vice-Chairman — said there had been no physical expulsion of students and only 64 students who have long pending dues have been served notices on their parents’ demand.
“Only a small group of parents is creating problems in our school and have not paid their outstanding amount of Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 each. We have let their children study without getting fees for over nine months. We are unaided school, how can we function like this?” Khaitan said.
{{/usCountry}}“Only a small group of parents is creating problems in our school and have not paid their outstanding amount of Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 each. We have let their children study without getting fees for over nine months. We are unaided school, how can we function like this?” Khaitan said.
{{/usCountry}}“There was only a marginal (fee) increase of 20 per cent in 2008 and 40 per cent in 2009-10 and we have promised that nothing would be increased for 2010-11 session,” he added.
The fee hike matter is being heard by the Allahabad HC.
Additional District Magistrate (ADM-City) S.K. Srivastava told HT that after discussions, the expulsion order of 64 students had been withdrawn by school officials.
“Those parents who wish to withdraw their children can take transfer certificate and their dues would also be waived off. The administration is holding a meeting with the parents and school management to discuss the further course of action,” Srivastava said.
District Magistrate R. Ramesh Kumar told HT: “We have taken a strong note of Wednesday’s issue and have written to the CBSE to
inquire into the incident and take strict action.”