the goan I network
VASCO
Niz Goenkar Revolutionary Front (NGRF) has filed a police complaint against two reputed schools in Vasco for collecting extra money from parents of students despite their government-aided affiliation.
NGRF has reported the matter and filed a complaint with the education department. It has also threatened to approach the court if the issue is not resolved and government-aided schools all over Goa don’t stop collecting extra money from parents in the guise of improving the standard of education.
Chandrashekar Vasta, spokesperson of NGRF, informed the media on Tuesday that as per the Right to Education Act government-aided schools across Goa were not entitled to collect extra fees from parents.
Vasta said several parents had approached him after some schools took as much as Rs 5,000 per student as fees for PTA and school renovations. “I have got receipts of extra fees taken by the schools and I have filed a police complaint. Also, I reported the matter to the education department. If the authorities do not act, then I will go to court, but not allow schools to loot parents in the name of education despite getting government grants,” he said.
“Education Minister and CM Manohar Parrikar had earlier told us to submit proof and he would conduct an inquiry. Today, we have receipts from schools but the CM is ailing and the education department may take advantage of this situation. This is a big scam in the guise of improving the standard of education. These schools are looting money from poor parents. I will file a PIL in High Court in the next two months,” said Vasta.
“Under the Right to Education Act, no aided school is entitled to charge money from parents. It’s a shame that reputed schools are taking money from parents in the name of maintenance of school, PTA and tuition fees. I have complained at the SP level and I will not let this go till every school in Goa stops charging extra money from parents. Schools have now begun charging fees up to Rs 3,500 in the name of PTA with an additional charge of Rs 200. Is this the free education that the government is talking about?” said Vasta.
