NGO backs parents protesting fee hike

MUMBAI: The Forum for Fairness in Education has joined hands with parents of children studying in Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Vidyalaya in Malad (W), who have been protesting against a proposed hike in school fees.
The parents had, on April 7, gathered at the school and refused to leave till they got some response from the administration.
"Over 200 of us were at the school for over five hours.There was some agitation and the police got involved as well," said Namitabh Kothari, a parent. The fee hike was declared on April 29.
The NGO, whose members had gone on a hunger strike for the fee hike issue a month ago, has promised to back the parents as they were fighting for the same cause. Over 250 parents from Malad attended a meeting held by the forum on May 10.
The school's principal, Meenakshi Kilpady, said wants to the dust to settle and then have a meeting with the parents. "Our aim has always been to provide our students with quality education along with good infrastructure and all the best facilities. This is only possible if we have good teachers, hence the hike is necessary." An increase in fees automatically means an increase in the teacher's salary, thus resulting in staff retention.
A section of parents, whose children study in Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Vidyalaya in Malad (W), have protested against the fee hike. On April 29, along with their children's results, parents also received the news of the increase in fees for both the primary as well as the secondary section of the school.
On 7th April, Saturday, parents gathered at the school premises and refused to leave until they got some response from the administration. "There were more than 200 of us on the school premises for over 5 hours. There was some agitation and the police was involved as well." Said Mr. Namitabh Kothari, a parent.The Forum for Fairness Education, who had gone a hunger strike for the same cause a month back, decided to back these parents as they were fighting for the same cause. A meeting was held with the forum on the 10th of May which was attended by 250 parents from Malad.
But school principal Meenakshi Kilpady wants the matter to calm down a little and then she wishes to have a dialogue with the parents. The school administration is still deciding their next step. "Our aim has always been to provide our students with quality education along with a good infrastructure and all the best facilities. Quality education is only possible if we have good teachers, hence the fee hike is necessary." An increase in fees automatically means an increase in the teacher's salary, thus resulting in staff retention.