Akhtar argues the fault for this lies with the school because it had refused to allow his daughter into the classroom till he had paid the computer fees. He, however, is not sure if the school will promote her to Std IV on Monday, the last day of the 15-day deadline given to the Malad (W) school to re-induct her. Hoping against hope, the highly-qualified parent Akhtar is an M.Tech in Industrial Engineering fromIndian School of Mines, Dhanbad, a diploma-holder in Computer Management, and manager in a government undertaking's computer department spoke to Sudeshna Chatterjee about the high uncertainty he has had to face till date in the course of his lonely fight.

What prompted you to approach the High Court?

I have been fighting the school authorities since my daughter was in Standard I. They were asking for computer fees which came to Rs 480 annually. My question was not on the amount charged, but on the compulsion of paying. They maintained it was an optional subject, and as a parent I have exercised my choice of not opting for it.

For I feel computer education is not needed at such an early age. You cannot force a parent to pay up just because others have. I had refused to pay earlier as well, when my daughter was in St I and II. But they allowed her to attend classes and give her examinations and promoted her subsequently to Stds II and III. But she was not given her final marksheets. Mattercame to a head when she was not allowed to enter her class (Std III) last year. The whole of the last academic year, my daughter was forced to sit at home. I also made my son, who's in the same school, stay at home because I feared he too would be victimised.

I had been knocking at the doors of educational authorities at various levels, apart from constantly communicating with the school authorities. When I got no help, I approached HC with the help of Forum for Fairness in Education.

What kind of responses did you get from the state education department?

I only got to see complacency and a dismissive attitude, right from the superintendent of the primary education department and chairman of BMC's education committee to the School Education Minister.

For example, inspite of detailing my experiences by personal visits as well as written correspondence, BMC's education officer Bhau Gavande told me my daughter had been expelled because she did not attend her class during the year.

The earlierchairman of BMC's education committee, Sadhana Mane, and Education Minister Sudhir Joshi both maintained they had no control over matters as the school was private and unaided! The government's attitude towards education is dismissive and sends dangerous signals. I don't know how a government can say it has no control when it can give recognition to, or withdraw recognition of, a school and decide on the nature and content of curriculum.

Do you really believe the government has no control on errant schools?

That is difficult to believe. In fact, even during court proceedings, the government pleader said the only thing they could do is de-recognise the school, but then parents cry foul. HC did not accept this and maintained there are many provisions under the Prohibition of Capitation Fee Act to ensure suitable punitive measures. The court described the government's stance as `inaction.'

Now that you have got a judgement in your favour, how do you feel?

Disillusioned. I had enrolled mychildren in St Mary's, thinking it was the best neighbourhood school. But later, when I saw my wife teaching my two kids for two hours every day at home, I didn't feel great about my choice, though I must add this is not a complaint against the school per se, but a general one.

After having won the case, I thought my daughter would be taken back by the school and promoted to Std IV. But the school has not agreed to this as she has not attended any class or given any exam in Std III. Since it is the school that did not allow her to sit in class, I have requested them for a special exam. My daughter is well-versed with the syllabus. In fact, she has now already started reading Std IV books.

Did you get any support from the education department following the HC order?

After the court order, I was given in writing by the BMC's education department that only three types of fees are approved by it admission, term and tuition fees. The school said I had not paid some `other fees,' which was why mydaughter wasn't allowed in. However, they could not specify what the `other fees' were.