Not paid fees? Get off the school bus in Pune!

The management of Creative English Medium Public School in Dighi allegedly forced about 20 students to get down from the school bus on their way home a few days ago. They were apparently irked at some parents for not paying fees and donations.

The aggrieved parents staged a protest on the school campus on Thursday.

The school, affiliated to the state board, has classes till standard X. Some parents claimed having paid Rs15,000 in donation and Rs7,000 as fees for uniform, shoes, books and other stationery during admissions. They said the outstanding dues of some students must not be more than Rs3,000.

Kishore Valve, one of the aggrieved parents, alleged that the school had promised to supply stationery, books and uniform.

“Most students have received only uniforms, that too in January, when the academic year is coming to a close. Yet, the school is demanding that students won’t be allowed to sit for examinations and would not be allowed to use the school bus service. They have not even given us the receipts of the money taken under the building fund,” Valve said, adding that the school lacks proper infrastructure.

According to the parents, the bus driver also claimed that the management had handed him a list of students who should not be ferried in the bus or else he would not get his salary.

Denying the allegations, the school’s trustee, Naushad Sheikh, said many parents have not paid fees, but have cleared the dues on request.

“A parent consumed alcohol and created a ruckus on the school campus, while another parent took a receipt of the fees and ran away with the fees as well as the receipt. We have lodged a police complaint. Other than these two parents, no one else has a problem with us,” he said, alleging that these parents had organised the stir along with the Shiv Sena.