Surat : About 60 students of Nanduba CBSE English Academy School in Althan, Surat, were allegedly subjected to inhuman treatment for not paying the annual function fee of ₹1,000. Parents claimed that the children, some as young as those in 2nd and 4th grades, were made to stand in the sun for up to six hours, and some were even physically beaten. The incident sparked outrage among parents, leading to protests outside the school premises on Friday.
According to the parents, the school had demanded the annual function fee from all students, with a separate bank account provided for the payment. Those who failed to pay were reportedly punished by being forced to stand outside their classrooms in the scorching sun. The situation escalated when parents learned that their children had been mistreated, prompting them to gather outside the school and raise slogans against the administration.
Parents Demand Strict Action Against Principal
The parents accused Monika Sharma, the principal of Nanduba CBSE English Academy, of being responsible for the harsh treatment. According to their allegations, the principal ordered the students who had not paid the fee to be penalized by making them stand outside for extended periods, despite the hot weather. Some parents even claimed that their children were physically assaulted when they tried to explain their situation.
One mother, whose son had recently undergone surgery, shared her distressing experience. “My son was recovering from surgery, and he was still made to stand outside in the sun. He tried to tell the school staff about his condition, but they refused to listen. He even said, ‘I’ve had surgery, please don’t beat me,’ but he was still punished,” she said, visibly emotional.
Parents have called for immediate action against Monika Sharma, insisting that such behavior should not be tolerated. “Our children were treated inhumanely for not paying a mere ₹1,000. This is unacceptable, and we demand strict action against those responsible,” said one parent during the protest.
Trustee Acknowledges Mistreatment, Promises Investigation
The protests prompted the school’s trustee, Arjun Patel, to rush to the scene to address the parents’ concerns. Patel acknowledged the severity of the allegations and admitted that the treatment of the students was wrong. “We have received complaints about this incident, and we want to assure parents that there is no pressure to pay the annual function fee. The principal’s actions were completely inappropriate, and we will investigate the matter thoroughly,” he said.
Patel further explained that due to the recent passing of another trustee, there had been less oversight at the school, and the administration was not fully aware of the fee collection or its enforcement. “Why the fee was demanded in this manner is beyond our understanding, and we are deeply sorry for the distress it has caused. We will call the principal on Monday, inquire about the issue, and take appropriate action based on the findings,” he added. Patel also noted that the principal was currently out of Surat and would be summoned for further inquiry.
Police Called to Maintain Order
As the protests intensified, the school authorities were forced to call the police to maintain order. Parents, undeterred, continued chanting slogans and demanded accountability for the mistreatment of their children. The presence of law enforcement helped to de-escalate the situation, but parents remained firm in their demand for action against the school administration.
The incident has raised serious concerns about the treatment of students in educational institutions and the enforcement of fees. While the school trustee has assured parents of an investigation, many remain skeptical and await concrete measures to address the situation.
