Parents protest against school fee hike

VASHI: Parents of students from ICL school, Vashi, on Monday protested a hike in fees for the academic year 2013-14, on the school premises.

On April 22, the school management had issued a circular to parents proposing a fee hike for the coming year. There has been a 120% increase in fees, which means that the pre- primary section fees will now be Rs1,500 as opposed to Rs600; the primary section will have to pay Rs1,000 from the current Rs300 and students of the secondary section will have to pay Rs1,100 from Rs500.

The management said that the increase in fees was essential since there had been no increase for the last six years. The management also claimed the hike had been discussed with members of the ParentTeacher Association (PTA) in March, and that they had given their consent.

Principal of the school Sunita Musale said, “The decision to raise the fees was taken during a meeting with PTA members. It was after they agreed, that we circulated the notice to parents.”

However, Sangeeta Shirke, a member of the PTA, said, “Although we were informed about the hike, we did not agree to it as we cannot take a decision without consulting others.”

Vashi corporator Raju Shinde, who was also a part of the agitation said, “We are not opposing the hike entirely. All we are saying is that a 120% hike is too much.

“If the hike is not rolled back, we will take the issue up with the education department,” said Shinde.

Sita Rao, a member of the school management committee, said “We will look into the matter. We will also put up a notice outside the school campus on May 10 after a meeting with other members of the management committee. Until then there will no admissions in the school,” she said.

“We are middle- class people and cannot afford such high fees. Also, for the last few years, there have been no proper facilities. How can they expect us to pay so much when they have failed to provide basic facilities,” said Sujata Bhonsode, parent of a Class 3 student.

BACHCHAN KUMAR