Over 50 Class IX, XI students denied entry to school

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, March 18

Notwithstanding the orders of Education Secretary, Krishan Kumar, the management of Budha Dal Public School denied entry to over 50 students of various classes. The school authorities barred them from entering the school premises here on Monday morning. 

Parents said these students were petitioners in a case filed in the High Court against the school authorities in 2015 for an anomaly in annual charges. Students were not allowed to enter school in order harass and force them to pay annual charges, parents added.

Following the ban, parents and students held a protest outside the school main gate under the banner of Budha Dal Parent Association. They raised slogans against the school authorities. 

 The Station House Officer (SHO), District Education Officer (DEO) Kulbhushan Bajwa and human rights members reached the spot to take stock of the situation. 

The DEO met the principal to implement orders of the Education Secretary in which he (secretary) had instructed the school management to let students in. However, the principal refused to do so.

Parents alleged that the school authorities were denying entry to more than 50 students of Class IX and XI from March 11. After parents made a representation to the Education Secretary on March 12, he ordered the school management to allow students enter classes. 

“The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered a stay on the issue, whereby, we don’t have to pay annual charges until the case is pending in the court. Despite this, the school authorities have denied entry to our wards,” said JS Sodhi, a parent, whose ward was denied entry.

Moreover, parents said over 850 students, who had challenged levying of annual charges in the court were harassed as the school authorities did not declare their results, nor issue identity cards or any other important documents.

Protesting parents said they had paid the tuition fees for the new academic session, but not the annual charges as the matter was sub judice.

“I met the principal in the morning and asked her to implement the orders, but she refused. I am sending a written report to the Education Secretary on the issue,” said Kulbhushan Bajwa, District Education Officer (DEO).  

Meanwhile, Principal Amrit Aujla, said, “We will not allow students enter school until their parents clear the pending dues. I have written to the Education Secretary to take a decision on the matter.”