Thane: In a contentious development, 16 students were allegedly denied entry into Vasant Vihar High School and Junior College, Thane West, on Tuesday due to delayed payment of school fees.
According to the parents, the school administration insisted that a demand draft (DD) for the pending fees must be deposited in the bank before the students would be permitted to attend classes.
Attempts to seek clarification from Vasant Vihar High School’s administration proved futile, as the institution did not respond to repeated inquiries by The Free Press Journal.
Speaking on the matter, Sanjayrao Tayade Patil, President of the Maharashtra English School Trustees Association, expressed strong disapproval of the school’s actions.
“This is highly unethical. Students must not be denied entry to the school premises based on non-payment of fees. At the very least, they should be allowed to sit in the classroom. The school’s action is totally unwarranted,” Patil told the FPJ.
Experts emphasised the importance of providing sufficient notice and flexibility to parents in such cases.
“Even if there is a delay in fee payment, the school administration should have handled the situation with sensitivity. Issuing warnings or reminders and extending deadlines would have been a more appropriate approach. Denying students access to classes is unacceptable,” they said.
Said a parent on condition of anonymity: “It is traumatic for students to be debarred from entry into the schools. The parents had genuine difficulties in paying the fees this time and just wanted a few more days to make the payment. But, the management took a tough stand in violation of rules. I hope the education department will intervene.”
Patil also pointed out the academic repercussions of the incident, highlighting that missing lectures could severely affect the students’ performance and progress.
“The school’s primary responsibility is to ensure uninterrupted education. Preventing students from attending classes not only disrupts their academic schedule but also puts undue stress on both students and parents,” he remarked.
