UP govt school charges Rs 600, says student

A student of class 8 in a government school in Hathras, Allahabad has highlighted through her postcard sent to a Delhi-based lawyer activist that she is being charged a fee of Rs 600.

Since she belongs to a poor family her father is compelling her to discontinue studies. She has mentioned in her postcard that despite belonging to the Scheduled Caste the school — Girls’ Inter College, Sasni, Hathras in UP — has not waived her fee, as mandated under the provisions of Right To Education (RTE) Act.

The school is most likely charging fee from other students as well which has been highlighted by Sarita Kumari, a social worker from Hathras.   

Ashok Agarwal has written to the acting chief justice of Allahabad court highlighting that government schools are supposed to provide free and compulsory education to students till class 8.

“It is submitted that the Girls’ Inter College, Sasni, Hathras is fully owned and controlled by the Government of Uttar Pradesh. Under Section 12 (1) (a) of the RTE Act, a school established, owned or controlled by a government or local authority is bound to impart absolutely free elementary education to all the students on its roll,” reads the letter.

No fee payable

“For the purpose of sub-section (1), no child shall be liable to pay any kind of fee or charges or expenses which may prevent him or her from pursuing and completing the elementary education.”

Agarwal has asked the court to accept this letter as a public interest litigation (PIL) to ensure immediate action against the school and the government.

“I have also highlighted in the letter that the school must stop charging from the students illegally and also refund all charges on account of school fee collected from April 2010 onwards,” he said.

Agarwal has been getting postcards from students stating the violations of RTE under the RTE-PIL Postcard Campaign, which has, highlighted myriad issues related to infrastructure, hygiene, administrative and academic.