With the admission process on a full swing in most schools,members of the Youth Congress on Saturday protested against the heavy donations taken by most government-aided schools in the city. The Youth Congress has alleged that as many as 18 aided schools in the city take donations during admissions. On Saturday,parents who had been to a city-based aided school for admission informed us that they were asked to pay over Rs 25,000 in the name of development fees. Some schools give a bill for 50 per cent of the money paid, said Rutwij Joshi,member of Vadodara city Youth Congress. He added: After the hefty development fee,the schools have also made it mandatory to buy books,notebooks as well as uniforms from the school or stores that are endorsed by the school. The schools are making profit by selling a Rs 10 notebook at the rate of Rs 14 and so on, said Joshi. The Youth Congress had also submitted a written application to the District Education Officer (DEO). We had submitted the letter to the DEO bringing the matter to his notice. But no concrete step,instruction or check has been conducted on any of the schools. We have also met the principals and the trustees of schools after the matter was brought to our notice,but even they did not show much concern, said Joshi. He added,Now that even the DEO is not taking any strict action,we will directly reach the school where we get information of parents being harassed with demands of donation.
