Mumbai: Wadala school faces criticism over alleged Rs 1,000 fine for each day of absence

Parents say Ganeshotsav travel may delay return; suggest extra schoolwork instead of fines. Representation pic/istock

A Wadala-based school has drawn sharp criticism from parents and social groups for allegedly imposing fines on students for missing classes. Members of the Yuva Sena have written to the Deputy Director of Education against St Joseph's School in Wadala. When this newspaper tried contacting the school, the school lines listed on its website remained unavailable.

Education dept

Education Inspector of the South Zone, Vaishali Veer, confirmed to mid-day that such a complaint had come to their office during Ganesh Utsav. "The matter is under review," she said.

What the letter reads

Pradeep Sawant, Yuvasena, senate member, wrote
‘Parents from the school have alleged that the students were verbally asked to pay a R1000 fine for each day they remained absent from the school after Ganapati vacation. Parents have already opposed this, and many parents have complained to our office bearers. Now we are demanding that action be taken against the said school and the collection of fines be stopped immediately and relief be given to the students and parents.'

Parent Speak

A parent, on the condition of anonymity
‘The school remained closed for Ganapati vacation from September 14 to 21. Once the students returned from the break, they were told that they would have to pay the fines for missing extra days of school.'

Another parent,
‘Many children travel to Konkan for Ganeshotsav, and they can't make it back on time. In such cases, you can simply assign extra tasks or schoolwork. A thousand rupee fine for each day is too severe.'