A tense stand-off between parents and authorities at St Lawrence School in Kolkata was resolved on Wednesday after police intervened. The confrontation arose when the school allegedly withheld ICSE report cards, demanding students pay for property damage caused two months earlier. Following the police involvement, the students were finally given their report cards without any payment.
Parents Protest Over Withheld Marksheets
Parents protested for over an hour outside the school. Many parents, whose sons had appeared for the ICSE examination, received a message on Tuesday to collect the results on Wednesday. However, upon arrival, they were met with unexpected demands.
"When we arrived at the school, parents were asked to stay outside while our children were asked to pay Rs 500 or Rs 1,000 as a penalty for property damage, or else the mark sheet would not be handed over," said Malkeet Singh, a parent.
Bidisha Saha, another parent, added, "No one was there to give a proper answer, so we called the police."
Police Intervention and Resolution
The police arrived at the scene and mediated the situation, leading to the school releasing the report cards without any charges. The school authorities have not issued an official statement regarding the incident. When contacted, principal Fr M Benny Thomas could not be reached for comment.
The incident highlights the concerns parents have regarding school policies and the handling of student records. The quick resolution prevented further escalation, but many parents remain dissatisfied with the school's initial approach.
