Guardians at Aditya Academy Secondary School protest against arbitrary fee hike

Kolkata: Tension ran high at Aditya Academy Secondary School on Jessore Road at Dum Dum on Thursday after some guardians staged a demonstration outside the school campus protesting against the arbitrary fee hike by the authorities.

The guardians had also staged demonstrations on previous two days and extended their agitation on Thursday as the school authorities did not roll back the decision of fee hike. The demonstration was, however, lifted later in the day through police intervention. The incident disrupted the normal functioning of the school.

Guardians were seen shouting slogans during the ongoing protest demonstration. A huge contingent of police had to rush to the spot but it was difficult to disperse the guardians as they were not ready to give in. The protesting guardians wanted an immediate withdrawal of the notification issued in this regard. The guardians alleged that the school authorities have doubled the school fees. Earlier, a student had to pay Rs 40,000 during the admission but now it stands around Rs 80,000 if the new fee structure is followed. The notification issued stated that the fees for grooming class would also be increased. "How can a school make the fee twice the existing amount all of a sudden? We will not be subjected to any such arbitrary fee hike. We demand an immediate withdrawal of the notification on the fee hike," said a guardian, who took part in the agitation on Thursday.

Although the guardians wanted to talk to the school authorities in this regard, school officials had refused to do so. Hence, the protest movement continued triggering chaos outside the campus and in the area. The agitation was later lifted after senior police officers reached the spot and assured the guardians that they would make the school officials sit around the table and discuss on the issue.