'Disciplinary action against officials for charging fees to students'
Commission comes hard on Education Dept
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, August 18 2011:
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) coming hard on the Education Department of the state for violating the Right to Education Act, 2005 by compelling students to pay admission fees has directed the Education Director to take up disciplinary action against the Head Master who had done this blunder.
The directive was issued today at the final day of the two days State Level Public Hearing on Child Rights Issue held in Kangla Hall.
The directive came after a case was presented before the jury by a group of students of Leela Singh Khongnangkhong High School, Imphal West where they charged the Head Master of the School for charging school admission fees and fees regarding games and sports conducted in the school.
The fees varied from Rs 500 to Rs 750 according to their standard.
Prof Santha Sinha, Chairperson, NCPCR, said that the act of the Head master is not acceptable at all.
Disciplinary action should be taken up against the Head Master and the money collected from the students should be refunded to them within a weeks time.
If he cannot refund the amount before the stipulated time the government which is liable should refund the money.
She further directed the ZEO, Imphal West to submit the action taken report within a week.
Gopal Dey, member of Child Relief and You (CRY), Kolkatta, who was also a jury member of the public hearing, reacting to the case said that these things cannot be taken lightly because even government officials who are suppose to implement the RTE Act are involve in the act.
A Grievance Redressal Forum needs to be established at the district level and the officials of Education department should also be given classes regarding RTE Act.
Sharing before the jury, students of Shirui Junior High School, Ukhrul said that the school charges fees for games and sports from them.
The ZEO, Ukhrul clarified the charges made by the students on the ground that the money was collected with the consent of their parents.
Reacting sharply to the clarification given by the ZEO, justifying the collection of fees, Chairperson, NCPCR, lambasted to the ZEO saying that "you cannot come here with a report that their parents have consented".
This does not justify anything.
When a government official violates the RTE Act, it is not acceptable.
She further directed the Education Director to organize orientation programmes for Education Officers and stressed on the point that all trainings of teachers whatsoever should be done during vacations.
Regarding another case of a landmine victim boy, the Commission has directed the Social Welfare department to give a full report of the incident so that it can pressure the government to give compensation either from the Chief Minister's Relief fund or the MLA's relief fund.
She also said the issue will also be taken up in Delhi.
Ranjita (name changed) a student of Ething Primary School while deposing her case before the jury said that there are around 62 students in this school but only one teacher.
He comes to school only seven days in a month, that also fully drunk.
Instead of teaching the students he misbehaved with the students.
As such the students including her are reluctant to go to school.
Prof Sinha directed the education department to report to the Commission on the recruitment of teachers in the school within a month.
She also directed the department concern to ensure user friendly toilet, escort allowances and medical treatments for the physically challenge students and report to NCPCR.
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