It is seen from press reports (Times of India dated 15.2.2012 and Dina Thanthi dated 16.2.2012) that the Federation of Private School Managements have submitted a memorandum to the District Collector and Commissioner of Police on 14.2.2012, i.e., the very next day of our memorandum.
Firstly, it is a good sign that our memorandum has hit at a right spot. Otherwise there would not be such a quick and strong reaction – reports say that 100 school managements have signed it. Look at it – within a day so many schools have joined and submitted a memorandum. By this they have exposed the strength which has been dictating the course of fee fixation. And we all know the money power at their command – it is after all our own money!
Secondly, their vituperation tells it all. They say that ‘anti social elements’ are leading this movement. The press carried photographs of the parents who had gone to give memorandum. If these parents who have been sending children and giving fees to these institutions are said to be anti social, then these institutions perhaps are the perpetrators of this ‘anti-socialism’.
Thirdly, they accuse some parents of going from school to school and ask parents not to pay fees. We feel like laughing at this statement. Which parent will abstain from paying the fees of his ward just because someone else asked them not to do so? More so if this 'someone else' is from some other school? Then the serious portion of this – first of all why did these managements fail to discuss their fees issue with their own students’ parents and settle it within their campus? If the issue comes to the streets, any right thinking citizen is at liberty to support the cause. When the managements can form a federation, how is it that they find fault with the Parents of different schools coming together?
Fourth is a very serious charge. That the parent representatives have caused some difficulties to students and ‘some girl students have reported such instances to them’ - On this ground they want police protection. Not only have these people been using our children as human shields against us, but now they want them to become our accusers and prosecutors too.
In this episode, what is most worrying is not the low levels to which they have stooped - but the shuddering thought that if they can afford to make such naughty and false allegations in broad day light in public domain, what all they will dare to do inside the closed premises of their institutions, with small and innocent children at their mercy?
There is no difference between Auto-rickshaws who charge in excess and the private school managements who flout Govt norms regarding fee. It is surpring that members of some of these managements are masquerading as good samaritans by remaining members of Social service organisations and lecturing on scriptures and Dharma sastra.
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