Parents protest hike in fee outside school

A protest was held outside BCM Arya Model School here by parents in the morning as the school management has allegedly increased the fee by almost 25-28 per cent. Worried, the parents, whose wards are enrolled at the school said it was an additional financial burden for them. Some parents raised the issue of having to shell out double if they had two children studying at the school. Meanwhile, the school management maintained that the hike did not exceed 8 per cent, which was as per the guidelines of the CBSE. They alleged that only a handful parents created a scene regarding fee hikes each year.

AAP MLA Kulwant Singh Sidhu also reached the school and met the parents and management this morning. Talking to The Tribune, Sidhu said the management had sought a two-day period to decide on the issue. “We are waiting and after that, the committee of parents will meet the management to settle the issue amicably,” said Sidhu.

Meanwhile, the protesting parents alleged that even last year the same issue had popped up and the then MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi had got it settled after some parents had visited him twice. A parent, wishing not to be quoted said: “This time again, they have increased the fee structure. We agree that each year, schools increase the fee but that is up to 8-10 per cent, which does not pinch anyone. The sudden hike of 25 per cent is uncalled for. My two children study at this school, how can I afford to pay such high fee?”.

The 20-25 persons gathered outside the school premises this morning urged the authorities concerned to check the school’s balance sheets to get the real picture.

Meanwhile, Principal Anuja Kaushal said there was no issue at all and only a few parents were creating this problem for reasons best known to them. She added that these same parents had gathered last year on the same issue, too. “We are not increasing the fee more than 8 per cent. The latest infrastructure additions to the school are for the benefit of all students. We do not differentiate between students, they all sit in air-conditioned classrooms. Most parents have deposited the revised fee and none raised any issue except a few parents,” said Kaushal.

Ludhiana