Come forward in case of complaints against pvt schools: DSEK to parents

Srinagar, March 30: Directorate of School Education, Kashmir has asked parents to come along with the representations and specific details with regard to complaints against private schools’ management.
Joint Director Education Kashmir, Mohammad Rouf Rehman said that with regard to the complaints pertaining to fees, textbooks and uniforms, parents should approach the directorate with the proofs before opting for protest.
As the new academic session in the school across Kashmir has started, several complaints from parents pertaining to the admission fees, exorbitant fee hike, costly textbooks and uniforms have started to pour in.
He further said that the private schools are part and parcel of the education system and people have prioritized them. “I came across the news that a private school has hiked the fees by 50%. Such excessive hikes will not be tolerated. Private schools should follow the uniform scale of fees.”
To redress the grievances of parents against the private school management, he said that the parents should approach the Directorate with the representation and vouchers of the fees.
“There is a way to resolve the complaints. Parents should come with the specific details like name of the schools and prove the high-handedness of the private school management with the help of fee vouchers. On the basis of the proof, we can initiate our investigation and take necessary action where required,” he said.
He said that both government and private schools have to follow the guidelines of the National Education Policy.
He further said that it is known that the private schools have been withholding the results of the students if the fees are unclear. “They have to take distressed people into consideration. They cannot force people to pay fees and then give the results. Parents can’t be taken for a ride. This is unfortunate that parents straightaway go for protest. They should approach us and we will see the record of the schools and we will take harsh action while dealing with such violators.”
He said that the parents have been adopting a wrong approach to deal with the private school authorities. “They pay the amount and then protest or approach the media which is not the right way to deal with the complaints. At that time, we can’t help them. They should come to our office with the proof and details to show where the private school management has shown highhandedness,” he added.
During the exercise, he said that the directorate ensures that no detail of a parent or student gets disclosed.
“Directorate is the custodian of the Education Department. Many parents have come up with verbal complaints which I have not accepted. Law doesn’t empower me to take Suo Moto action unless I have specific details about the particular school,” he added.