School makes children pay a price for missing class

“This has been going on for the last one year. If I don’t go to school for a day, I have to pay Re 1. For missing two days, the fine is Rs 5. Most teachers collect this fine. The money is pooled together at the end of the month,” a student at the school said.

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“Teachers then use this money to have chai parties every month,” a senior student said.

Students also alleged that those missing school for more than three days were being forced to pay Rs 10 every month.

School principal Saroj Kumari admitted to teachers collecting a fine from students, but she termed it a ‘challan’ of sorts for taking leaves.
“Sure, teachers do collect Re 1 for a day and Rs 5 from students for missing two school days. But this is more like a challan. We want to teach them a lesson. There is nothing wrong in it,” Kumari said.

The Right to Education Act prohibits government schools from charging fee or fine of any kind from students till Class VIII.

Schools can collect nominal fines from students from Class IX to XII with the permission of the PTA, but the money collected in such a way should be used for welfare activities of the school, the Education Department rules state. “From Class IX to XII, we charge Rs 10 from students who go on leaves without submitting an application or informing the school,” Kumari said.

The principal said the money collected “was not being used for the school at all”. “We are depositing the money in a bank account. It goes to the government and is not being used by the school,” she claimed.

Asked about the legitimacy of the practice, the principal reiterated that there was nothing wrong in it, and that it was being done “to reduce student absenteeism”.

Education director Padmini Singla said: “ I am unaware of any such practice. But we will inquire into this and take suitable action, if needed.”

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