A decision by Bhavans Vidyalaya in Vadodara’s Makarpura area to allegedly restrict school trips to students who have paid the annual activity fee has sparked anger among parents.
Parents have alleged that students who have not paid the activity fee are being denied the opportunity to join educational and recreational trips, even if their parents are willing to pay the trip expenses separately.
According to parents, the school has decided to include only those students who have paid the annual activity fee. Parents of students who have not paid the fee for various reasons said they were ready to bear the full cost of the trip, but claimed that the school was not allowing their children to participate.
Parents have also raised concerns that such a policy could make children feel excluded and create differences among students based on their families’ financial circumstances. They argued that educational institutions should not discriminate between students on the basis of fee payments.
A group of parents gathered at the school to present their concerns before the principal and board of trustees. Office-bearers of the Vadodara Parents Association also joined the parents in raising the issue.
The association has warned that if the school does not reconsider the decision and allow all willing students to participate in the trip, it may approach the Education Department, Child Rights Commission and the appropriate court for further action.