Fee row: Education authorities propose revoking NOC of seven schools in Mumbai

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In a major decision in the ongoing school fee row, proposals have been sent to the Director of Education to revoke the No Objection Certificates (NOC) of seven non-state-board schools. The action comes under the Right To Education (RTE) Act as the schools are said to have increased their fees and taken against students over non-payment.

In Mumbai, Billabong International School, Malad and Billabong International school, Santacruz are facing action for denying online learning access to children admitted under the RTE Act.

The Deputy Director of Education, Mumbai released a circular regarding this on Thursday. There are five schools from Navi Mumbai - Amruta Vidyalay, Nerul, New Horizon Public School, Airoli, Ryan International School, Sanpada, St. Lawrence School, Vashi, and Terna Orchid International School, Koparkhairane and one school, Vishwajyot High School, in Kharghar.

Also Read: Settle fee issue with parents instead of turning it into legal battle: Bombay High Court to schools

"These schools increased their fee structures amid lockdown and forced parents to pay the fees. If anybody failed to pay fees, students were not given their results, or were barred from online learning access or were not promoted to the next class. This led to mental stress to children thus violating the RTE Act," read the proposal.

Deputy Director of Education, Mumbai, Sandip Sangave, said, "The proposals are sent through us after receiving such recommendations from local civic bodies. The Director of Education (Primary) in Pune will follow due process now."

None of the seven schools could be reached for comment till press time.