Concerned over recent fee hike decision by city-based English medium school, DAV Public School Patelnagar in Agrico, parents on Friday sat on a fast unto death agitation in front of the school.
Parents of eight students started their fast and were backed by nearly 50 parents after the school management turned down deputy superintendent of education East Singhbhum Praveen Kumar effort to end the dispute through amicable dialogue.
According to parents, the school charges a developmental fee annually ranging from Rs2,450 to Rs2,750, the sum increasing every year as the student moves to higher classes. In addition, the monthly tuition fees have been increased by Rs100. The school has also introduced an activity charge of Rs400 annually from this year.
Umesh Kumar, president of the Parents’ Association said that a memorandum was handed over to the management for immediate withdrawal of the decision of fee hike. The decision is unfair and it will increase unnecessary burden on the parents.
He also alleged that private city schools have been forcing their decisions on parents without going into any talks.
The parents’ association has also decided to go for lock-up campaign at schools if immediate decision was not taken in favour of the parents. “If the schools’ association fails to withdraw their decision the members of parents association will go for lock-up drive for indefinite days,” conceded the president.
later, officials of the parents’ association informed that the administration has assured them that a meeting of the English medium schools and parents association will be called to sort out the differences.
Deputy superintendent of education, East Singhbhum Praveen Kumar who participated in a tripartite meeting attended by school management and parents yesterday admitted that the school management has gone rigid in its stand.