Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Oct 19: A private CBSE school in the city here removed students from its WhatsApp group following the non-payment of the fees, the parents alleged.

The teachers used to share notes, tips and study material on the WhatsApp knowledge group. However, several students were abruptly removed on October 15 which has stirred the parents who have written to the central and state governments seeking action, a report by TOI stated.

“On October 15, it was heart breaking for me and other parents to see our children’s names being removed from the online class group. The names were excluded because we could not pay the fees. My elder child was traumatised and asked if he should work rather than study in an institution where the money is the first priority,” a parent claimed.

Meanwhile, another parent stated that as per the government's order, the schools are not allowed to force parents to pay the fees and sought action against the school management.

The parents have called the school unfair and unprofessional. “When we enrolled our children in the newly built school, the management had assured us that charges will not be increased for five years. But it announced a hike the next academic year itself. We sought a reduction, but our pleas were not answered,” said the father of a student.

While on the other hand, the school principal maintained that the students were removed as the parents had failed to settle the charges of the previous year. "It is difficult to run the school if parents do not pay fees,” the school principal was quoted in a report by TOI.

Malleswamy, the deputy director of public instruction, Dakshina Kannada, said parents must file a formal complaint. “Without a complaint in writing, we cannot take action. The government order is very clear that educational institutions cannot force parents to pay fees,” he asserted.