Maharashtra Child Rights Commission Intervenes in Thane School Fee Dispute
The Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has formally intervened in a contentious case involving a CBSE-affiliated school in Thane. The Commission has demanded a detailed explanation from the school management following serious allegations from parents that the institution has been illegally withholding their son's Class X examination results for the past two years. The core of the dispute centers on the school's alleged insistence that outstanding tuition fees must be cleared before releasing the crucial academic documents.
Allegations of Academic Obstruction and Fee Dispute
The case originated when the student reportedly scored lower marks in his Class IX final examinations. Concurrently, his parents had allegedly accumulated unpaid school fees over several years. According to the parents' complaint, the school management seized upon the student's academic performance as an opportunity. They allegedly persuaded the family to have the boy appear for his Class X board examinations through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) in New Delhi during 2023, instead of through the regular school channel.
Despite the student successfully clearing the NIOS examination, the parents' attempts to retrieve his academic records from the school were met with refusal. The management allegedly stated that the pending fee dues must be settled first. This impasse has resulted in the student losing two critical academic years, severely impacting his educational progression.
Activist Involvement and Commission's Action
"Due to the fee dispute, the school deliberately failed him in Class IX, forcing him to appear for the Class X examination through the NIOS. Now they are even delaying giving his results to him, which resulted in him losing 2 crucial years, and this is unfair," stated Nitin Dalvi, a Mumbai-based activist who is representing the parents in this matter.
Acting on the formal complaint, the Child Rights Commission initially issued a notice to the school last year. The Commission also directed the Education Officer of Thane district to take appropriate and immediate action. However, with no concrete steps being taken, activist Nitin Dalvi approached the Commission once again. In response, the Commission issued a fresh notice to the school on February 2, instructing the Thane Education Officer to submit a comprehensive report on the matter within seven days.
School's Defense and Official Response
When contacted for clarification, the school principal presented a different perspective. The principal confirmed that the result had not been shared but attributed this to the parents' refusal to personally visit the school to collect the document.
"It is true that the parents did not clear school fees for the last few years, and we also requested them to pay it in instalments, but they refused to relent. We received the notice and responded to the Commission accordingly, clarifying our stand. We did not hold back his result and instead repeatedly asked the parents to collect the results personally, but they insist on us sending the crucial document through post, which is not possible," the school authority clarified in its official statement.
Devidas Mahajan, the District Education Officer for Thane, has acknowledged the situation and stated that he will look into the matter thoroughly to ensure adequate action is taken. Meanwhile, activist Nitin Dalvi has called for accountability, seeking action against education officials for their perceived failure to address the school's conduct in a timely manner.
