Kashmir’s School Education Department Summons Chairman Hat Trick School

Srinagar: The School education department Kashmir, the nodal agency for schools in the Valley, has summoned chairman Hat Trick Public School, Zakura over complaints of fee charges and “forcing” parents to buy books from a particular shop.

An order issued by the joint director of the department said that the chairman has been asked to present himself at the office of the department in Srinagar on Wednesday and warned of strict action against the school in case he fails to attend the hearing. Besides the chairman, parents association of the school has also been asked to reach the department on Wednesday.

The order said that a delegation of parents of students at Hat Trick school had approached the department “with regard to redressal of their genuine grievances”.

The complaints by parents against the school are apparently related to the fee charged by the institution as the department has asked the chairman to produce the copy of fee structure “approved by the Fee Fixation Committee for the last three years”.

The officer has also asked the school for the “item-wise breakup” of the Rs 7,000 annual fee, which it charges from students.

It asked management of the school to clear its position on “forcing parents to buy books from the only one identified shop located in the school premises”.

“In case of any default, strict action shall be initiated against the school management in terms of J&K Educational Act, 2002, which includes de-recognition of the school,” the department warned. (KR)