Parents oppose shops in colleges

The All India Federation of Parents Association (AIFPA) has opposed the state government’s move to allow educational institutions use 30% of their campus area for commercial purpose. The move, they feel, will turn schools into a profit-making business.

Arundhati Chauhan, president of Parent-Teacher Association United Forum, said, “We will discuss the issue with the state. If they do not withdraw the notification passed on September 5, we will move court. There is no guarantee that the institutes will not charge capitation fees, because the notice doesn’t compel them to do so.”

“I am against having a cafeteria in school premises. Students will be distracted. If schools even allow a stationery shop, they might make it compulsory for students to buy from them. Earlier, government opposed hawkers on the school premises. How is this different?” she asked.

Many organisations including Parents’ organisation of New Era School, DY Patil College, Pune, Delhi Parents’ Association, etc have joined the AIFPA. Jayant Jain, the president of Forum for Fairness in Education, feels that it is a politically-motivated move. “The initiative taken by the government is just election-driven to sway the stakeholders in contributing more money for the forthcoming elections. We will move court against the order.”