Violation of court directions: Protest outside school ‘Will de-register schools demanding Sep, Oct fee from parents’: Director Education

Srinagar, March 19,Neyaz Elahi,CNS: Parents of students of Kashmir based private schools continue to allege that the schools have been violating the orders of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court by collecting fees for months of September and October, which were waived off by the court in view of the recent floods in the Valley.

    Reports said that scores of parents Thursday staged a protest outside Casset School Karan Nagar who alleged that     school management is forcing them to clear the dues of September and October, otherwise their wards would not be allowed to sit in the classes. “There are clear cut directions from the Court in this regard and yet the school authorities demand fee from them for the month of September and October,” Mukhtar Ahmed, a protester told CNS.

    Pertinently, the court, while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), had directed the schools in Kashmir not to charge any fees from the students in view of the devastating floods that hit the Valley in September last year.

    Meanwhile, the parents of students from Apple town Sopore also alleged that schools like Muslim Education Trust (MET), Welkin School, Apex School have been demanding fee from thme for the months of September and October. “We fail to understand why any action is not being initiated against these school which violate the court orders and even did not adhere to the guidelines of Education Department,” the parents said.

    When contacted Director Education Showkat Ahmed Beigh said that these school owners have been unnecessarily creating problems for the parents. “We have already sent a communique to all schools directing them to strictly adhere to the court order. I request these parent to contact me and if allegations are found true, we will deregister such schools without any delay,” he said. (CNS)