Parents from all over Maharashtra in Mumbai to meet education minister

Parent groups protested in Dharavi and outside Sena Bhavan on Saturday

Parent representatives from across Maharashtra reached Mumbai on Saturday to meet School Education Minister, Varsha Gaikwad, only to face disappointment. The collective of parents protesting outside the residence of Gaikwad raised several concerns, foremost of them was the fee issue.

Parents Associations from different districts of the state had come together after several of their complaints remained unattended. They have been complaining about issues with school fees. They said that children are being targetted and are facing academic losses, as schools take action against those not able to pay fees, but state government has decided to keep mum even after several complaints.

"This is the apathy of the state government. In other states, governments have formed policies or have taken decisions to consider issues faced by parents during the pandemic. But in Maharashtra, no such step has been taken. Moreover, whenever parents have tried to approach the administration with their issues, those problems are never resolved," said Anubha Shrivastava, from India Wide Parents Association who was part of the collective.

Shrivastava said that officials are avoiding them. "Just like what happened today. Even after knowing that parents were going to visit, the minister was not around. Just a few days ago, we tried to meet the minister in Pune, but there too, she wasn't available," said Jayashree Deshpande, a parent representative from Pune. Parents from Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Pune and Nashik were present for the protest. Around 100 parents gathered outside Gaikwad's residence in Dharavi.

Parents have also been requesting that the government to allow a fee waiver to parents of private schools, who are facing a financial crunch. They also protested outside Sena Bhavan, headquarters of Shiv Sena. Post that, the delegation met with chairman of state minority commission, JM Abhyankar, and have been assured a meeting. "If we do not get a meeting in three days, we will demand the resignation of the school education minister," said Shrivastava.