The Madras High Court on Wednesday issued notice on a public interest litigation (PIL) alleging unauthorised fee collection by three aided schools in Theni, Ramanathapuram, and Tiruvannamalai districts.
Court Orders Notice to Education Authorities
A division bench comprising Justice N Sathish Kumar and Justice M Jothiraman ordered notice to the school education department, director of school education, educational authorities, and the school managements. The PIL was filed by M Michael Thangaraja, a member of the Congregation of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and a secondary grade teacher at St Aloysius Higher Secondary School, Rayappanpatti, in Theni district.
Allegations of Violation of Government Orders
The petitioner alleged that St Aloysius Higher Secondary School, St Joseph Higher Secondary School in Muthupettai, Ramanathapuram district, and St Joseph Higher Secondary School in Athipattu, Tiruvannamalai district, collected fees from students in violation of government orders. The institution primarily caters to poor and rural students, and the collection of excess amounts has imposed severe financial hardship on parents and students, many of whom belong to families of agricultural labourers, daily wage earners, and other economically vulnerable sections of society.
Petitioner Seeks Inquiry and Refund
Representations were submitted on May 4 to educational authorities and the managements seeking an inquiry, intervention, and recovery of the allegedly collected amounts, but no effective action was taken, the petitioner said. The PIL seeks a direction for a time-bound inquiry, restraint on excess fee collection, recovery of amounts, and refund to affected students and parents.
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