MNVS objects to arbitrary late fees at private schools in Chandrapur, seeks probe

The issue of late fees charged by private schools in Chandrapur district has become a flashpoint. The Maharashtra Navnirman Vidyarthi Sena (MNVS) alleges that some schools are charging parents excessive and arbitrary late fees when school fees are paid late.

Kuldeep Chandankhede, district vice-president of the organisation, expressed deep concern. He demanded that the education department properly investigate such levies and act immediately to reduce the extra financial burden on parents.

The MNVS said that amid rising prices, many parents arrange money day and night to pay school fees for their children's good education. If a payment is delayed slightly because of some compulsion, the school administration exploits their situation and imposes a heavy late fee, it said, adding that many such complaints are coming from parents. Ordinary parents who are already facing financial hardship are being burdened needlessly as a result.

The organisation said education is every child's basic and important right. It is wrong, it said, that parents should have to go through such needless financial distress over a slight delay in paying fees.

The MNVS has placed a set of specific demands before the education department. First, that late fees at private schools in the district be thoroughly investigated and complaints of arbitrary and excessive late fees be inquired into immediately. Second, that the extra fees being collected from parents in violation of rules be stopped at once.

The third demand is that all schools clearly inform parents of the late fee rules, conditions and the full fee structure. Fourth, that schools wrongly charging extra fees face strict action as per the rules. Fifth, that the education department put an effective system in place so that parents can easily register complaints.

Chandankhede warned that if no legal action is taken against this arbitrary and excessive fee collection, the MNVS will launch a sharp agitation by democratic means in the coming days. He said the education department should take this serious matter seriously and give parents relief at the earliest. He added that the administration should act immediately, keeping in mind the welfare of children and the financial condition of parents.

Kishor Madgulwar, district secretary Ramesh Kadbande, district president (Janhit) Pravin Shewte, taluka vice-president Shubham Wandhare and city vice-president Firoz Pathan were among the many prominent party workers present on the occasion.