School wants ‘good behaviour’ undertaking from students

Through this circular,the school has also threatened the students that those who fail to get the undertaking should consider not registered in the school for the 2011-12 academic year.

“We want our children to be well-disciplined and this was the need of the hour,” said the school’s director,Chaula Joshi,who signed the circular. “All schools take an undertaking in the school diary,but no one values that. If parents do not sign such an undertaking that means they are supporting the bad behaviour of the students.”

A parent on the condition of anonymity said,“We are left with no other option but to get the undertaking and sign it. The school circular says that anyone who fails to get the undertaking should consider themselves not registered for the coming academic year. This is a crucial year for my son,so I don’t want to take any chance. I hope the Education Department intervenes in this matter.”

“Schools have been operating for years now and none of them have demanded such undertakings. We are going to meet the deputy director of school education on Thursday. Why are they asking for undertakings only from Class X students? The education department should not allow such a practice by schools. Parents have given a written complaint to FFE,seeking our help and we will demand action against the school and its management,” said Jayant Jain,president of FFE.

P R Pawar,Education Inspector of Western Zone said,“Such arbitrary rules are not necessary and will not be allowed by the Education Department. We got to know about this issue on Wednesday afternoon. We will see the circular issued by the school and take action against them.”

In February,Maneckji Cooper High School in Juhu had asked parents of prospective students to get a character certificate from the Mumbai Police. The school had also asked parents to get several other documents such as birth certificate of the parents,PAN card,ration card,recommendations from at least two known persons,and so on.