VASCO
Niz Goenkar Revolutionary Front (NGRF) has accused Vasco-based St Andrew’s Primary School of collecting Rs 3,300 per student in cash in the name of education and not providing receipt for the amount paid in spite of requests.
Speaking to reporters, NGRF spokesperson Chandrashekar Vasta said that though the front had earlier addressed the issue of schools collecting money at
Panaji and requested parents not to pay anything to primary government-aided schools, he was forced to pay Rs 3,300 in cash on the day of the
results.
“I was helpless. The school refused to give my child’s results if I didn’t pay. I have paid the amount in cash but haven’t got the receipt. The headmistress said the school was collecting the money for the purpose of education, but refused to give me any receipt,” he stated.
“If Fr Gabriel Coutinho wants to provide great education then we are with him, but if the school is taking money for a social cause it must provide receipt. I don’t have any issue, but why is the money collected in cash? Why receipt is not given?” he questioned and added, “Considering there are 100 students per standard, there will be 500 students from Std 1 to 5. It must have collected at least Rs 15 lakh in a day.
The school should have collected the money officially if it is using it for official purpose. I will expose this corrupt practice and file an official complaint with the education department.”
Meanwhile another member of NGRF Parshuram Sonurlekar said that the extra money was a burden
on parents.
“As far as I know the school has students below middle class. There are chances that some may have three kids and this will entail parents to shell out Rs 12000 which can be too much. Today people don’t have job security and in such a situation it can be difficult for parents. The government should intervene immediately and take strict action against schools collecting money from parents in the name of education. When there is something like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan and government is paying, then why should parents pay extra,” Sonurlekar said.
