Calcutta HC directs schools to follow interim order, tells them not to debar students over fees

The Calcutta High Court has directed schools to follow its interim order and to not debar students over non-payment of fees.

Considering parents’ accusations that some schools were not following the Calcutta High Court’s previous interim order, the court asked all of the 145 schools covered in a PIL concerning fees to not deny promotion to higher classes or withhold their report cards until further orders are issued. Reiterating its previous direction, the court said that all students are going to be allowed to join higher classes in new sessions while normal educational facilities will be provided to them.

A division bench consisting of justices IP Mukerji and Moushumi Bhattacharya said that GD Birla Centre for Education should not have issued a notice that read, "the school will re-open on Monday, 11.4.2022 for students who have cleared all dues."

The bench further said that this notification prohibits students that disputed their school fee from joining their classes.

The court directed GD Birla Centre for Education to withdraw the notice immediately and allow students to attend classes on their usual course while asking all other schools to follow directions as well.

It was argued by the school’s advocate that some guardians were submitting insignificant amounts, which were much lower in comparison to what they paid in the previous academic session in lieu of the Calcutta High Court’s interim orders while insisting that their children be allowed to attend the school.

The court also took note of claims made by a parents’ body that many students have been debarred from enrolling in classes because their fees had not been paid.

Calcutta High Court had previously instructed that, in order to guarantee that schools do not face a lack of funds, it will appoint joint special officers to investigate the fee liability issue and reach a decision.