In an initiative to ensure proper implementation of proposed schemes and initiatives at government schools across the State, the Arts and Welfare Association's Teacher Head for State, Rajkumar filed a RTI (right to information act) quewtioning the Chief Educational Officers (CEO) of Tirupur, Nilgiris, Coimbatore and Erode to provide information on whether Rs. 200 to 500 is being collected for the students in grade 1 to 12 as school fees.
In an initiative to ensure proper implementation of proposed schemes and initiatives at government schools across the State, the Arts and Welfare Association's Teacher Head for State, Rajkumar filed a RTI (right to information act) questioning the Chief Educational Officers (CEO) of Tirupur, Nilgiris, Coimbatore and Erode to provide information on whether Rs. 200 to 500 is being collected for the students in grade 1 to 12 as school fees.
However, in a reply note to the above petition, the Nilgiris and Erode districts CEO’s confirmed that there were no such government schools in the district who demand money from students for English medium education. However, Tirupur and Coimbatore CEOs denied to answer.
Mr. Rajkumar has expressed strong condemnation against Tirupur and Coimbatore CEOs act for abstaining from answering such pertinent questions.
However, a reply from Coimbatore corporation government school Head Master, Maniarasi threw light on the real situation prevailing at government schools.
According to Maniarasi, the CCMA Schools in Coimbatore have collected a fee amount of Rs. 200 to 500 for the students between grade 1 to 12 , which according to her is not permissible and against the rule.
“Of the 96 schools which have replied to my query, it is suspected that few of the schools are collecting more than Rs.500 as parents teachers association fund and for English medium education“, alleged Rajkumar.
However, when Rajkumar sought clarification from Ayyannan, District CEO, he contended the information.
"The information is wrong. The department will probe to find the facts" CEO Ayyannan told.