School refunds money taken for midday meal plan

EWS category student was charged Rs 500 for the scheme

Dayanand Model School in Patel Nagar, which was charging money for midday meal from a poor student has now returned the amount.

A preschool student studying in the school under the Economically Weaker Section category was charged Rs 500 for the meal for two months. Schools are not supposed to charge fees for any of the school activities from EWS students.

Principal’s letter

A letter issued by Anjna Luthra, the school principal, to the child’s father and the Director of Education and Kusum Sharma, the advocate who intervened in this case reads, “We would like to inform that the bill for the midday meal charges has gone to you inadvertently in a routine manner along with other students.”

Cheque

“An amount of Rs 500 paid by you on account of midday meal has been refunded by a cheque of Allahabad Bank,” it adds.

Social Jurist, a rights group, had written to the Directorate of Education and the school to look into the issue as the student comes from a poor family.

Free benefits

“According to law all benefits are given to EWS students, but if private schools are offering midday meals students should not be charged, whether EWS or not,” said Ashok Agarwal, member Social jurist group.

 “But this school is charging for midday meals from students who pay full fees,” added
Agarwal.