Demonstration at school gate as institution goes back on word

Rosary fee hike gets parents worked up

Demonstration at school gate as institution goes back on word
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Two months after MiD DAY reported that Rosary school authorities had issued a circular to parents proposing a fee hike in the coming academic year, the school has implemented its decision.

Parents of Rosary school students yesterday gathered outside the gates of the institution after stomping out of a meeting when they learnt of the fee hike.

MiD DAY had in its report on April 8 pointed out it was illegal to hike fees without obtaining the permission of school board authorities. A representative of the school management had claimed at the time that it was merely a proposal and fees would not be hiked.

In the April circular, the school had said it wanted to buy CCTV cameras and TVs and needed extra funds.

Parents and even NGOs had cried foul at this as a March 4 government resolution (GR) states no private unaided school shall increase its fees until the next direction in a case being heard by the Bombay High Court or without special permission from the school education board.

"They want to install plasma TVs and CCTVs, but we don't want it," said a parent yesterday, requesting anonymity. "Last year I paid Rs 950 as tuition fees, this year,u00a0 Rs 1,100. They have also levied a quarterly development charge of Rs 300; what is the meaning of this fee?"

A parent said this was the second year in a row fees had been hiked. "Last year we didn't protest as it was only a difference of Rs 200 per month with the new IT fees. But this time it is getting out of hand," said the parent, also requesting anonymity.

Deputy Director (Education), Pune region, Sunil Magar said he would look into the Rosary case. "As far as I know, this school hasn't taken permission from us to hike fees," said Magar.

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