Hyderabad: A Class 10 student who scored 582 out of 600 marks was unable to secure admission for higher studies after the private school allegedly withheld her transfer certificate (TC) over unpaid fees amounting to Rs 70,000.
Officials from the minister’s office told TOI that Kukudala Bhavitha, a student from a private school in Boduppal, had also secured a high rank in POLYCET, an entrance examination taken by nearly 1.6 lakh students. However, on the final day of counselling, she was unable to complete the admission process because she did not possess the transfer certificate required for further studies.
“Bhavitha’s father left for their native village two months ago due to severe financial difficulties, leaving the family without the means to clear the dues,” said her cousin, B Harish. “When we approached the school for the TC on Friday, the management said it would be issued only after the pending fees were paid,” he added.
The family said they repeatedly appealed to the school management, citing Bhavitha’s academic achievements and financial hardship, but received no relief. The school management did not respond to TOI’s requests for comment.
The issue was resolved after Telangana Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy intervened following a public appeal and extended financial assistance to the family. The incident comes nearly a month after the Telangana high court ruled that educational institutions cannot withhold students’ certificates to recover fee dues. While Bhavitha was ultimately able to proceed with the admission process, no legal action was initiated against the school.
Background of the Case
Kukudala Bhavitha, a bright student from Boduppal, Hyderabad, achieved an impressive 582 out of 600 marks in her Class 10 examinations. Her academic excellence continued as she secured a high rank in the POLYCET entrance exam, which is taken by approximately 160,000 students annually. This achievement opened doors for her to pursue higher education in a polytechnic college.
However, her dreams were nearly shattered when the private school she attended refused to issue her transfer certificate. The school administration cited unpaid fees of Rs 70,000 as the reason for withholding the document. Without the TC, Bhavitha could not complete the admission process for her chosen polytechnic course.
Financial Hardship of the Family
The family’s financial situation worsened when Bhavitha’s father left for their native village two months ago due to severe financial difficulties. This left the family without the means to clear the school dues. Bhavitha’s cousin, B Harish, explained that the family had repeatedly appealed to the school management, highlighting Bhavitha’s academic achievements and their financial hardship, but the school remained unresponsive.
Intervention by Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy
The matter came to the attention of Telangana Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy after a public appeal. The minister intervened promptly and extended financial assistance to the family. Following his intervention, the school issued the transfer certificate, allowing Bhavitha to proceed with her admission process.
Legal Context
This incident occurs nearly a month after the Telangana high court ruled that educational institutions cannot withhold students’ certificates to recover fee dues. The court had clearly stated that such practices are illegal and violate students’ rights. Despite this ruling, the school in question continued to withhold Bhavitha’s TC until the minister’s intervention.
No Legal Action Taken
Although the school’s actions were in clear violation of the high court’s order, no legal action was initiated against the institution. This raises questions about the enforcement of court rulings and the protection of students’ rights in similar situations.
Broader Implications
The case of Kukudala Bhavitha highlights a recurring issue in many educational institutions across India, where schools use certificates as leverage to recover fees from financially struggling families. This practice not only violates legal guidelines but also hinders students’ educational progress. The intervention by the minister, while resolving the immediate problem, underscores the need for stricter enforcement of laws and greater awareness among parents and students about their rights.
This incident serves as a reminder that financial constraints should not become a barrier to education. It also emphasizes the importance of timely intervention by authorities to uphold the rights of students and ensure that academic achievements are not undermined by administrative hurdles.
