The Std V student’s attendance has not been counted; neither has she been issued an identity card nor been given the curriculum by the Panvel school
Her attendance is not counted. She hasn’t been given an identity card, or roll number, and curriculum. For 9-year-old Khushi Sukum, a student of Std V, going to school has become a task, as even peers call her an outsider, forcing her to want to stay home. Panvel’s St Joseph’s School has given Khushi admission, but they have barred her from being part of the school, as she has not paid the readmission fees this year.
Khushi Sukum’s father alleges that the school is charging readmission fees twice and he will not pay them
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“I have been fighting for my daughter since the past 4 months. The schools are not supposed to take the readmission fees twice, but this school does. Rs 1,550 is not a huge amount, but why should I be part of something illegal? Khushi keeps crying at home and refuses to go to school as her friends tease her incessantly. God forbid, but if her mental health is compromised, who will be held accountable?” said Mahesh Sukum, her father.
Dharnas and protests
After a lot of complaints and dharnas, the school agreed to give Khushi admission, but is not fully accepting her. “They should tell us to our face whether or not she is being accepted. Keeping her on the edge, is making her more anxious day by day,” Mahesh said.
The parents of students of the school had from March been opposing its decision of charging extra readmission fees and had even gone on hunger strike. But since the principal was firm on her decision, they had to ultimately give up.
“She said that she is well aware that the charges are not legal, but since the other schools are taking them, she too will,” said Reshma Lolam, one of the parents.
Though all the parents gave in fearing for their children’s future, Mahesh Sukum refuses to fall into the system’s loopholes. “I will keep fighting until I get justice,” Mahesh said. The parents claim that the school charges the readmission fees twice, once when the child goes to Std V and then again in Std VIII.
Khushi’s father, along with other parents from the school approached the Deputy Director of Education, BB Chavan, who has assured of speedy action against it. “We have spoken to all the concerned authorities and they have told us that the school is at fault for taking the fees from us illegally. Due to the holidays, the authorities had not started the inquiry, but now they will. We are hopeful,” Mahesh said.
The parents complain that the principal, Saeeda Javed Malim has not been accessible and at times when she is, she refuses to address their problems.
Despite repeated attempts to contact her, the principal was unavailable for comment. The receptionist at the school kept saying she would convey the message to her.
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