Sümi students accuse government schools of levying illegal fees

Principal Director of School Education assures to take action on defaulting institutions after inquiry

Our Reporter
Dimapur, Feb. 20 (EMN): The Western Sümi Students’ Union (WSSU) has expressed concern over allegations that many government educational institutions like higher secondary school, high school, middle school and primary school are charging admission fees from students.

Through a press release, the union appealed to all the government educational institutions in western Sümi-inhabited areas under Dimapur district to strictly comply with the Right to Education Act 2009, failing which, it said will initiate strict action against the defaulting schools.

“However, on circumstantial compulsion, if any monetary transaction from the students has to be made then it should be accompanied with proper receipt memo duly authorised and signed by a competent authority,” read the press release.

The union has asked the institutions that had indulged in levying illegal fees to immediately refund the amount to the victims. It went on to remind that the Directorate of School Education, Kohima, had on June 11 2020 “issued uniform fee structure for government schools outside the purview of RTE Act 2009”.

Meanwhile, Principal Director of School Education, Shanavas C told Eastern Mirror that he will inquire and find out if any school is indulging in levying illegal fees, as alleged. ‘We will take action if educational institutions are found charging fees illegally,’ he assured.