“Hi, everyone. This is an online petition to get our school recognised. Your signature can get things done. Go to the link, at change.org
Please sign and share with friends and family.
Note: This is a student initiative only and this petition can be shared with anyone. Every signature has value. Thanks for support”
This is the message being circulated among the parents of kids studying at Mount Carmel School, Dwarka, which was issued a derecognition notice earlier this month against the fee hike on the complaint of some parents at Directorate of Education (DoE).
The petition, started by a student Madhurima Paul, is being floated on WhatsApp groups and social media. It has so far been signed by over 5,000 people.
Speaking to City Spidey, one of the parents who had signed the petition said, “I hope things get sorted out soon as per the rules. Mt. Carmel is an old school and has done extremely well since its inception.”
The complaint was made against the fee hike for 2016-2017 session in the name of increasing the salary of staff, said sources.
The school administration has also been asking the parents to write e-mails to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia so that DoE could rethink its decision.
“Let’s hope that the situation is resolved amicably because as parents we are worried about the future of our kids. All this is affecting their ability to concentrate on studies,” said another parent who also didn’t want to be named.
Meanwhile, there is a section of parents who feel that such an atmosphere has been created by the school administration and teachers who all want the government to change its decision and are not saying anything on the issue of fee hike and the school’s decision to not pay back the parents.
Parents say that the school has been asking them to support them from the day the notice was issued. “On the Annual Day, which was held just a few days after the notice was issued, we were all asked to not panic as the matter would be resolved soon.”
According to the director of school, Michele William, the subject has also been taken to the High Court who has sought a reply from DoE.
On the subject, president of Delhi Parents Association, Aparajita Gautam, said, “It is not appropriate for the school to put pressure on the parents to write letters to the chief minister. Every year, schools ignore parents' voices when they arbitrarily hike the fees and now they are seeking help from them. It is a good decision and has given hope to many that the government will take strict measures against schools who break the law.”
