Parents are up in arms with the Sinhgad Spring Dale School, Narhe as the management recently sent a notice that it will hike its fees for the academic year 2011-12. As per the new fees structure, parents will have to shell out 50% more money compared to 2010-11.

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Despite education minister Rajendra Darda’s assurance to bring a bill to regulate school fees, it has not affected some school managements. Last year, Pune city saw numerous agitations and protests by the parents of Rosary School students over the fee hike.

Meanwhile, the notice sent to the parents mentions that those who agree to the hike should sign the notice and send it back to the school.

A few parents told DNA that the fee hike proposal was unjustified as the school did not take the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) into confidence.

One of the aggrieved parents said, “Last year, I paid Rs20,000 as fees but now for the coming academic year, I would be paying more than Rs30,000 besides other expenses like picnic, library, sports, stationary and others. These other expenses will cost me at least Rs10,000 which means there is a 50% increase in the fees.’’

Parents said that though the facilities like the ground and toilets are not that bad, they felt that the quality of education in the school should improve. “Things have been discussed during the PTA meetings, but the management never took these issues seriously,’’ he alleged.

The school authorities could not be reached for their comments. Parents also said the school has made it compulsory to buy books and uniforms from designated shops in the city. The price is of course more and the quality is not up to the mark, they alleged.

Meanwhile, some parents have lodged a formal complaint with the group Forum for Fairness in Education. The president of the forum, Jayant Jain, while speaking to DNA said, “The government has been misguiding the parents for years. There has been no strict action against schools that still charge capitation fees.’’