It feels like daylight robbery. The private school where my child studies has slapped me with a message: Pay the full year’s school fees online as a one-time payment. This is a financial burden and parents like me feel helpless. If we speak out individually, we are afraid the schools will harass our kids. Which is why I decided to go the online petition route because I know there are many more parents across Tamil Nadu who are in the same helpless boat. If we stand together, we have a greater chance of justice. Sign our petition, even if you are not a parent.

Schools are not explaining why the previous system of paying the school fees on a quarterly basis via cash or a cheque has been stopped. They are not concerned about parents who are uncomfortable with making online payments and those who don’t have access despite living in Digital India? What is going to happen to those among us who cannot cough up so much money in one-time? Children shouldn’t suffer. I know of a child who has dropped out because of this. It is difficult to raise such huge amounts at one go and it pains to see children being forced out of schools for this procedure. How is this fair? Especially for the children who come from an underprivileged background. This process is not only creating a divide but also putting a child’s education at risk. 

Sign my petition so that all children remain in schools. Join me in asking the Tamil Nadu Education Minister to issue a statement pulling up private schools for insisting on one-time fees collection. It will give us parents relief and ensure our kids can stay in school.

I support a group of underprivileged kids by raising funds so that we are able to pay their school fees timely. Unwarranted pressure by private schools will pinch our pockets and dissuade those of us who engage in charity. Please sign my petition for a fair system to be put in place so that no kid suffers.