Students labelled defaulters on website

Naina Mishra
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, May 14

Even as the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) issued instructions to private schools last year against harassing children with fee-related issues, Chitkara International School, Sector 25, has issued a public notice labelling students as ‘fee defaulters’ on its official website.

However, school Principal Niyati Chitkara said she had informed the CCPCR of the matter and the panel is reviewing the issue. Meanwhile, commission Chairperson Harjinder Kaur could not be contacted.

A public notice on school’s official website labels at least ten students from Class III to XII as ‘fee defaulters’. The notice reads: “As per our record, a huge amount is reflected as arrears of fee of various students. Although in the interest of career and studies of the students, the school has declared its result and has also handed over the report card to the parents, but it is difficult for the school to allow such students to the next level without clearing the fee arrears.”

“It is to bring to your notice that the school has decided to promote the student only after arrears are cleared,” the notice further reads.

Last year, the national commission stated that the reported cases of suicidal deaths of school students due to harassment for the non-payment of fee and discrimination by the school authorities was a matter of concern.

The commission also viewed it as a violation of Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Act, 2015. The private schools were, thus, asked to deal with the fee-related issues with parents and not students. “The school fee is a financial matter between the school authorities and parents,” stated the child rights panel. Section 17 of the Right to Education (RTE) Act prohibits any child from being subjected to physical punishment or mental harassment.

‘Continue with procedure, said edu dept’  

School Principal Niyati Chitkara said: “Students have already been promoted, but they may join the next batch after their dues are cleared because they are the general category students not the EWS. We have also shared a list with the Education Department and the CCPCR as there is a log of outstanding amount and we are already enrolling 25 per cent EWS students under the RTE Act. Students have not also taken their transfer certificates and they may be studying elsewhere. The CCPCR has asked for an updated list of students whereas the Education Department has written to us that we may continue with the procedure of the school.”