Chennai: Parents of a student at Vepery here have accused the school of demanding exorbitant fines from students as punishment for minor mistakes.
Earlier this week, Jayakumar’s son, studying in Class 2 in Doveton ICSE School was asked to pay a fine of Rs 500 for having traces of mehendi on his hands.
The school’s vacation started on September 23. Pavan J. applied mehendi on his hands and had slight traces of it left when the school reopened on October 5.
The parents alleged that Pavan was sent to the Principal’s office and was asked to bring the fine the next day.
The seven-year-old alleges that his class teacher repeatedly asked him for the fine everyday.
The school authorities eventually called his parents to ask for the fine.
The mother argued that the child had only slight traces of it as he had applied it during the holidays, but the authorities did not accept the argument.
The school has specifically stated in its handbook that children are prohibited from applying mehendi or any other cosmetics.
After Pavan kept asking his parents for the money and was threatened with expulsion, his father eventually went to the office but demanded a letter from the school stating the reason for levying the fine. After he continuously insisted, a receipt was issued.
