PANJIM: The Directorate of Education (DoE) has issued a show cause notice to the management of a government-aided Marathi medium school situated at Cujira integrated school complex, Bambolim, for allegedly collecting ‘illegal’ fees from students.
The show cause notice was issued to the school management two days after Chief a Pramod Sawant warned of action against government-aided school charging fees from students in spite of receiving all aids from the government.
A complaint regarding illegal fees was filed against the school management by Adv Savio Braganza on March 28, 2024.
The school has now been asked to explain in writing within next seven days, as to why action deemed fit should not be initiated against the school management for charging illegal fees without prior approval of the Director of Education.
Following a complaint, Director of Education Shailesh Sinai Zingde by a letter dated April 25, 2024, had directed the chairman of school’s managing committee, to submit its comments in the matter.
The secretary of the school’s management by a letter dated May 6, 2024, admitted that the school has been charging fees to the extent of Rs 3,950 and PTA fees of Rs 500 from the students.
The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, states that every child in the 6-4 age group shall have a right to free and compulsory education in a neighbouring school till completion of elementary education, and that no child is liable to pay any kind of fee or charges or expenses which can prevent him or her from pursuing and completing the elementary education.
The Act further states that no aided school shall levy any fee or collect any other charges or receive any payment except those specified by the Director and they have to obtain prior approval of the Director before levying such fees.
It is learnt that Adv Braganza had filed complaints against two high schools, the other being situated in the capital city. But since the school management did not send its comments, the Director of Education is now in the process of sending a reminder to the school management.