MANGALURU: A lot of students have been left in the lurch, as parents and educational institutions are fighting over school fees.

“My daughter was humiliated in front of other classmates for not paying a pending instalment of fees of the previous academic year.
It feels sad that even though we paid 90% of the fee last year, that we were subjected to such ill-treatment,” complained a parent, who is a resident of Kadri Kambala, and whose daughter studies in a CBSE school near Bendoor.
“The school threatened to remove the student from an online class.
My child will be deprived of learning, and go through mental agony due to this development,” the parent said.
Congratulations!You have successfully cast your voteLogin to view resultAs there is no government rule regarding fees yet, private schools continue to demand fees from parents, despite the hardships induced by the pandemic.
If parents fail to pay fees, students are removed from online classes.
Another parent complained that her son has been removed from online classes over non-payment of fees.
“We have requested the school management, that dues will be cleared as soon as possible.
As of now, we are unable to pay fees because of the financial crisis,” the parent added.
However, not all schools trouble children in case of non-payment of fees.
A parent whose children study at an ICSE board school, added that classes have been continuing for those who have not paid their fees, including that of the 2020-21 academic year.
“A large number of parents have not paid fees till date,”the parent added.
A teacher of a private school said that the management has given them the responsibility to convince parents to pay fees.
“We are trying to get parents to pay fees, but they say they are facing hardship due to financial crisis.”
The Dakshina Kannada district administration has warned to take strict action against any private educational institution, which forces parents to pay fees, removes students from online classes for not paying fees, or insists on purchase of stationery from a particular shop.
Private schools expressed that they too are facing financial distress, as fees to the tune of several lakhs have not been paid.
“We have to run a show, pay teachers and pay back loans to banks.
How can we survive if fees are not paid? The expenses are increasing every month,” said a head of a private school.
“We have requested parents to raise complaints in case of schools demanding fees or removal of students from online classes.
However, so far no complaints have been officially registered.
Meanwhile, we request parents to enrol children in government schools which provide quality education,” said Malleswamy, DDPI.