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THE GOAN NETWORK
VASCO: The Niz Goenkar Revolution Front (NGRF) on Monday claimed that no government aided school can take money from parents in the form of fees for maintenance or any other category, adding that the school could be liable for a fine which could be ten times the money collected.
NGRF Spokesperson Chandrakant Vasta was speaking to reporters after he received a reply from the education department in connection with a complaint filed by him against a reputed school for allegedly demanding admission fees but failing to issue receipts.
Vasta alleged that the school management had been forcing parents to pay the money and parents had reluctantly paid the fees after succumbing to school pressure.
"Today, schools are extorting money from parents in the form of maintenance charges, etc. and parents are forced to pay the amount for the sake of educating their children, despite the school getting grants from the government.”
“Parents are reluctant to take up the matter with the school or the education department for fear of backlash. It is a shame that institutions to impart education have now become money-making machines and teaching is no more a noble profession,” said Vasta.
He told reporters that he had filed a complaint against an aided school, which was allegedly collecting money in the form of various fees.
“I received a reply from the education department that as per rule 145 of Goa Schools Education rules, no aided school can levy or collect any fee, funds or contributions, donations from any student and parents.”
“As the right to children to free and compulsory education act, any school or person that receives capitation fees could be punished with fines which may extend to ten times the money charged," said Vasta.
"I request all parents across Goa not to pay any additional charges to aided schools because they are receiving grants from the government, which is already spending crores of rupees for these schools.”
“These charges are like bribes taken in the name of education and this loot must be stopped. I have my child studying in the school that I complained about and there is nothing to fear.”
“We must exercise our right to free education given by the government. I would like to inform all parents in Goa that they can approach me in case any aided school creates an issue to students for not paying charges and NGRF will take up the matter with the school and the education department," assured Vasta.
