Parents threaten fast over fee-hike

SURAT, July 5: In yet another turn to the deadlock between parents and management of Madresah Taiyyebiah Society over the monthly Rs 30-fee hike in school since June 20, parents have threatened a fast-unto-death outside the school in Zampa Bazaar. The The threat comes after at least the failed three rounds of talks with the management as well meetings with the District Collector and the District Education Officer. A couple of memoranda were submitted by the agitating parents, while regular classes at Gujarati and English medium schools of the society has been affected since June 20.

On Tuesday, the Collector had hoped a solution would be hammered out by Saturday as DEO Punambhai Patelhad sought audit reports and expenses of the past two academic years to substantiate the hike. The DDO’s order followed after the trust failed to provide the details at a meeting with the Collector.

The Collector had told the parents that a final decision would be taken after the detailed reports would be submitted by Saturday.

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Incensed at the fact that the management had disregarded the Collector and the DEO’s notice for the details, the parents now plan fast until the hike is withdrawn. Agitating under the umbrella organisation `Vaalimandal’, the parents have sought the Chief Minister as well as Minister of State for Education Anandiben Patel’s intervention after informing them about their decision.

When contacted, the Collector said the agitating parents and the management would meet at 6 pm on Monday to resolve the impasse.

Under the hike, students in the Gujarati medium school will have to pay up Rs 215 instead of Rs 185 a month, while those in the English medium school will pay Rs 225 instead of Rs 195. The hike covers classes up to VII.

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