Experimental school in the plush Parle Point area, where parents were hesitant to come forward, also joined the strike on Thursday and disrupted classes for the first time. In addition to Ratna Sagarji School in Gopipura and Mahajan Anathashram in Katargam area, a primary school in Udhna -- all schools run by managements other than SES -- also joined the strike.Members of the Action Committee intensified their agitation by holding a dharna in front of Balaji Girls School in Gopipura on Thursday morning. Parents shouted slogans and criticised the State government for not taking any action in the matter.

The society has increased fees in its primary school from Rs 138 to Rs 205, thought the district education officer rejected the society's application for a fee-hike. Action committee convenor Rajesh Desai said parents from all other schools, whose managements have increased the fees, would be brought on one platform and the strike would be intensified soon.