Parents reject ICSE board, want SSC board for wards in Gorai school

Parents taking out a signature campaign at the Gorai school

While parents across the world prefer fancy board curricula for their wards, these parents from Swami Vivekanand School at Gorai have undertaken a signature drive to continue with the state board.

Following allegations by parents that the school had been forcing them to get their children admitted to the ICSE (Indian Certificate for School Education) section of the school, the tussle began between parents and the school management began. The ICSE section, parents complain, is a costly affair.

One of the parents, said, "The school began shifting from its state-board pattern to the ICSE pattern four years ago. While, initially, it continued to run two sections, it has now entirely turned it into ICSE. We don't see why the school cannot continue to run both sections."

"The fees for the school's ICSE section are more than Rs 50,000, while the fee for the SSC section ranges between Rs 22,000 and Rs 25,000. We cannot afford the fees. We also cannot take our kids out of school as it is very difficult to get admission in higher standards," said a parent.

"The school started out as an SSC board institution. How can the management suddenly decide to change it to ICSE? Our children's future is at stake," said another parent.

A resident who was part of the campaign along with the parents said, "Considering the demographics of this locality, the school cannot expect parents to pay high fees."

The school has now requested time of two days to review the situation. Yogesh Patel, director of the school, said, "The school shifted from SSC to ICSE on parents' demand. We are aware of the signature campaign and the board of studies is exploring possibilities."

Nayan Kadam, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena representative from the locality who is helping the parents with their struggle, said, "The school's permission is based on the state board curriculum. They have to take the required nod from the state government if they want to close down the state board section."