Vadodara : Parents Protest Additional Fees at Vadodara’s Shreyas School

VADODARA,GUJARAT : Parents and guardians of students enrolled under the Right to Education (RTE) Act at Shreyas School in Vadodara’s Bagikhana area staged a protest today against what they allege is a hefty additional activity fee.

The protest, organised by the ‘All Gujarat Vali Mandal’ – a parents’ association – saw a gathering outside the school premises. Parents claimed that the school was demanding an annual fee of Rs.6,000 for activities and smart classes, despite them being enrolled under the RTE Act, which mandates free and compulsory education. They further alleged that the school was withholding the results of students whose parents refused to pay the fee.

“We cannot afford to pay such exorbitant fees,” the group representing the parents said.

The school principal, however, presented a different perspective. According to her, a meeting was held with parents where a proposal for activity fees was introduced and received agreement. However, she claimed, later, 10 to 15 parents backtracked on their initial consent.

“They seemed determined to create a conflict,” the principal said. “The first-term results have already been distributed to all students, including those who haven’t paid the fees. The annual results are also being declared today, and a separate list was being prepared for those who haven’t paid. This is what angered the parents.”

The Right to Education Act mandates free and compulsory education for children between the ages of 6 and 14. The act also prohibits schools from charging any additional fees that could act as a barrier to a child’s education. This situation in Vadodara highlights the ongoing challenges associated with ensuring truly free and accessible education under the RTE Act.