The issue has been raised by six students of Good Shepherd Modern English School, at Palunda, who have cleared their class X examination and are seeking admission in state-syllabus schools for the 2019-20 academic year. Parents of the students have approached the district Childline and have submitted a complaint against the school management authorities, for allegedly demanding the exorbitant amount per head.
Smitha Sunil, one of the parents said, “We had informed the school director several months ago that we were planning to shift our children to state schools, after class X. Back then, he threatened us that he will not allow the students to appear for board exams.”She said the parents had approached the director again in March and after the results were published and had requested for TC. “He refused to issue it and demanded that we either pay an amount of Rs 1 lakh per head or present a court order”.She added that the parents and students were planning to submit a complaint to the Chief Minister and Education Minister.
As many as 23 students from the school had appeared for the class X examination this year.
According to the management authorities, the school had discontinued higher secondary in 2013 and had restarted it in 2015 on the grounds that students seeking admission in class VIII should continue studying in the school till class XII.“The higher secondary classes were restarted following requests from parents. So, the school prospectuses issued since 2015 clearly state that students who wish to discontinue their education from the school after class VIII, should pay the fee for the rest the classes,” said director George Philip. He added that the courses would be discontinued if the court found fault with the school management’s stand
Refuting the school management’s claims, Niti B Nair, a former teacher of the school said, “The management had been collecting outrageous fines from students seeking a transfer, even before the new rule was incorporated in the school prospectus,”.
Meanwhile, the Childline authorities have initiated action against the school management committee. “The written complaints will also be forwarded to state Child Rights Commission,” said Childline coordinator. Speaking to the media on Thursday, Higher Secondary Regional Deputy director Sabu Valariyan has also said the school cannot withhold the TC of students on any grounds.
