Sudden Oshiwara school closure without notice sparks parent protest at Azad Maidan

After approaching local authorities, police, and the education department, parents held a day-long protest. Pic/Special Arrangement

A group of parents from the western suburbs, whose children studied at Oshiwara's City International School, staged a protest at Azad Maidan on Monday (April 6) against the terms of the school's sudden closure.

Parents said they received an email in the first half of February informing them that the school would shut down due to a hike in the land lease amount. They claimed there was no prior communication about the decision. "We had just paid the last term's fees before the email was sent," said a parent of a Std III student.

After approaching local authorities, police, and education department officials, the parents decided to hold a day-long protest.

Key demands

Parents protest at Azad Maidan. Pic/Aditi Alurkar

Protesters sought compensation for higher fees incurred while shifting their children to nearby ICSE schools. They also demanded that students admitted under the Right to Education (RTE) Act be accommodated in equivalent schools closer to their homes.

Officials respond

Gaurav Bhagwat, administrator, City International School, Oshiwara, said, "We have never charged any donations or early fees from any parents. As for fee hikes when it comes to lateral shifts, every school has its own regulations that are to be followed. In the meantime, 24 schools are accepting City International students, and admissions of 122 RTE students have been taken care of by the education department."

Sanjay Javir, education inspector, west zone, said a list of RTE students has been sent to the deputy director of education. "Many students have already been accommodated in nearby schools, and efforts are on to place the remaining students," he said.

Parents speak

Faizia Parkar
‘I enrolled my daughter in a nearby ICSE school, but had to pay nearly Rs 40,000 more than our earlier fees. We had already paid heavy donations to the Oshiwara school and should be compensated'

Faizan Khan
‘We live in Jogeshwari and secured admission through RTE. Officials have now asked us to move our child to a municipal school in Vile Parle East. The distance is too much for a fourth-grade student'

Rs 50K
The extra amount a parent paid for admission