The Meerut Divisional Commissioner has directed the Ghaziabad district magistrate (DM) to ensure withdrawal of transfer certificates (TC) of 39 students issued after fee dispute between parents and the management of Khaitan Public School. The Commissioner has also warned of strict action against the school if the TCs issued to students were not cancelled. The school had sent notices to parents of wards to deposit 51 percent hike in the fee. School authorities cancelled the admissions of 39 students whose parents had failed to deposit the fee.
In a tweet at 9:51 am on Monday, the Commissioner of Meerut division Dr. Prabhat Kumar tweeted "Ghaziabad DM has been ordered to ensure the withdrawal of TCs". The response came after the parents approached the commissioner to interfere in the matter.
Earlier, Khaitan Public School had issued TC to 39 students by post, who failed to deposit 51 percent hiked fee in a single stroke. Taken aback by the decision of the school, parents staged a dharna outside school gate. The District Magistrate (DM of Ministhy S was apprised about the development that parents have obstructed the entry and exit of the school. The DM asked the area SDM to report her from the spot. The SDM tried to negotiate but both sides were adamant on their stands.
The Crusader of 'Save Education' and patron of All Schools Parents Association Satyapal Chaudhary said that the school was violating the terms of NOC given to run the school.
NOC to schools is issued by a committee chaired by the Commissioner whose secretary is the Joint Director (Education) while DM and the District Inspector of Schools (DIOS) are its member. The terms of NOC clearly state that the schools can not charge building fee, annual charges, admission fee and activity charges. And most importantly if a student who had obtained admission and is below 14 years of age and failes to deposit fee in mid session due to unavoidable circumstances, he or she cannot be denied education under Right to Education (RTE).
"But Khaitan Public School, Sahibabad is violating all rules which hiked 51 percent fee in a single stroke under various heads. The NOC which is governed by sections 15, 16 and 17 of model code of conduct of UP Education", Chaudhary said.
School managemnet filed a police complaint under sections 147 rioting , 342 wrongful confinement and 504 intentional insult with intend to provoke breach of peace of IPC. After this the parents approached the commissioner who responded through tweet.
" It is not new to us communication through tweet, we have regular interaction with Divisional Commissioner but. The state level committee is the final authority to decide about the dispute between the parents and the schools over fee. We have to maintain law and order till the new guidelines are reached to us from there. I have asked SDM to report about the incident. I will act accordingly and action will taken if anybody is found violating law", said the DM.