School denying vaccine to our kids to avenge case filed against them: Parents

The parents of a pair of twins studying at the Saraswati Mandir Education Society (SMES) school have alleged that their children are being denied the Measles and Rubella (MR) vaccine in the school in order to avenge a case that the parents had filed against the school. The parents had earlier filed a case against the school with the Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR) against their alleged illegalities.

The school is issuing consent forms to be filled by parents to seek their approval for the vaccination but has not given the same to the twins. One of the grieving parents of the two children studying in class 3 said, "Despite the case still pending in the MSCPCR, the school has declared that my children are not bona fide students of the school and did not give them any stationary, identity cards, calendar of the school etc, which is a violation of child rights. A few days ago, the school gave consent forms to all the children but did not give the same to my children. They were told by their class teacher that they will not be given MR vaccination. I am wondering if MR vaccination is a government scheme or the school's personal scheme."

According to the parent, the school was pulled up by the Child Rights Commission for charging advance fees, making their children sit in a separate classroom for not having paid the fees, telling them that PTA is illegal etc. Despite this, the school this year sent a letter to the parents that their children are not bona fide students of the school and will not be allowed to participate in any school activities like sports day, annual day etc. The kids are only allowed to attend the school and sit for examination, the parent said.

Siddharth Sharma, advocate for the parents, said, "The school has challenged MSCPCR recommendation by filing a writ petition in Bombay High Court. But there is no stay order on child rights recommendation to school. Despite all recommendations to school in favour of parents, the school is continuing to harass children by denying them their rights and now by denying them MR vaccination. We will send a notice to the BMC education department to be present to ensure these children are also given vaccination or else we will file a case against the BMC and the matter will also be presented in front of the Child Rights Commission."

Despite repeated attempts, the school officials were unavailable for comments. When contacted, Dr Mangesh Rajadhyaksha, vice-president of the management committee said he has no documents in front of him to comment on the issue."