Education ministry to probe claims against Juhu school

The state education ministry will probe the claims of a parent who alleged that Ecole Mondiale World School in Juhu charged her more than Rs10lakh extra for readmitting her children.

The state education ministry will probe the claims of a parent who alleged that Ecole Mondiale World School in Juhu charged her more than Rs10lakh extra for readmitting her children.

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The two children were expelled for not paying fees on time. School education minister Rajendra Darda, on Saturday said the deputy director of education has been asked to look into the matter and the person would take necessary action against the school. "This is absolutely ridiculous. Every child has a right to education and the school cannot expel a child on the pretext of late fees. IB schools are not above the law," said Rajendra Darda.

Despite the state's intervention, Sheetal Mehta, the complainant, is wary that the school might hold grudges against their children. "I do not want my children to be victimised. I hope the school does not mix personal and professional issues," said Mehta.

According to the Bandra resident, the school expelled the children citing late submission of fees and charged her Rs30 lakh, Rs10.23 lakh extra to readmit them.

The school authorities maintained that despite sending three reminders, Mehta failed to pay the fees on time, which resulted the expulsion. "We would not victimise the children in any way," said Mahesh Gupta, manager of the school. He added that Mehta was not forced to readmit the children. "Readmission was her decision. Why is she creating a fuss now?" he added.