Parents approach SC Commission, say state government violating PSEB Act

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 29

A section of parents of children studying in different private schools in the city has alleged that the state government failed to comply with the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) Act, 1969, known as the Punjab School Education Board regulation for affiliation of Institution, 1988. As per its regulations, the fee charged from students should be approved by the board from time to time. However, an institution providing extra facilities which augments the cause of education may charge extra fee with the permission of the board.

The regulation further provides that the institution must have sufficient resources to run itself efficiently. The entire income from the institution shall be utilised only for the welfare of the students, teachers and the institution. The board can inspect the account of the institution from time to time.

The major areas where private schools are allegedly doing illegal practices include, charging admission fee from students every year at the time of admission to the higher class even though the student is of the same school, charging various funds twice over, like building fund and dilapidated funds are collected even though the building is already complete whereas only fund for maintenance could be charged. Advance fee is charged invariably for three months whereas fee should be collected every month. Further, either the schools are having their own shops or tie ups with shops for the sale of schoolbooks, stationary, school bags and uniforms. The parents are coerced to purchase these items from these shops whereas schools are earning huge profits either by direct sale or by getting commission.

A section of parents has requested in writing to National SC Commission vice-chairman Raj Kumar Verka to issue directions to Deputy Commissioner Varun Roojam to implement his orders issued to the schools on April 28 and May 16.

A parent, Dharambir Singh Mahiya, said they were filing this petition on behalf of aggrieved parents against the private schools of Punjab, especially of Amritsar district, for their illegal practices and intentional disobedience of various important decisions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Supreme Court of India.

They brought to his notice that the students belonging to Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes from rural areas were harassed and humiliated by private schools of the district as their parents were involved in the agitation. They said the schools had become vindictive towards children and threatening them by targeting them individually in front of other students.

They stated that laws were not being implemented by private schools and through the petition, they request the commission to take action and give directions to the administration for the implementation of its orders so that the private schools be restrained from harassing students. They said private schools did not comply with the various orders and directions of the courts, the Deputy Commissioner and the District Education Officer.