No fees, can’t sit for exams: Mulund school

St Mary’s Convent High School in Mulund West. Pic/Rajesh Gupta

Hundreds of students of St Mary's Convent High School in Mulund have been denied access to online classes as well as exams for not paying fees. Parents alleged that they had told the school that they'd pay the fees in instalments, citing that their jobs were impacted due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but the school administration did not budge.

The school had recently sent a notice to the parents saying that if the fees were not paid before March 15, their children would not be allowed to attend exams. Following this, a number of parents approached the school seeking some relaxation and more time to pay the fees. A 36-year-old, whose two daughters study in school, said, "Before the pandemic, I used to work as a caretaker for a family who had enrolled both my daughters to this school and also paid the fees.

However, in 2020 when I was barred from entering the buildings, they stopped paying the fees. Then I started driving an auto to earn a living and even managed to pay the fees last year. But as I have not been able to pay it this year yet, the school sent the notice. I requested them to allow me to pay it in instalments, but they did not agree to it and also stopped the daughters from accessing the classes. My kids ask me when they would be able to attend class or appear for exams, but I don't have any answers."

Another parent whose daughter studies in Std III told mid-day, "I rushed to school when I was told about paying fees. I mortgaged my jewellery and brought Rs 14,000, which is half of the fees, but they said I have to pay the full amount. They kept my daughter from attending classes for three days. Now that I have paid the entire amount, she has been allowed to join the class. But the school administration's attitude was terrible, and left many of the students and parents traumatised."

Shashank Mainkar, a businessman, said, "My daughter currently studies in standard III. I suffered heavy losses during the pandemic, so there was a delay in paying the fees. When I went to school to pay the same after getting the notice, I saw hundreds of parents requesting the administration to let their wards attend classes and exams. Many parents also said they'd pay the fees in instalments but the school remained adamant. However, the school remained adamant. This is sheer blackmailing by the school."

Attempts to contact the school administration failed as no official was present at the school. A teacher, on the condition of anonymity, said, "There are many parents who have not paid fees for two years. Schools have their own expenses, and if parents don't pay the fees even after reminders, the administration needs to do something about it."

Mar 15
Deadline to submit the fees