Sanathana Public School, Thiruvananthapuram

"I write this utmost grief. We had admitted my kid at Sanathana Public School since her Play School 3 years ago based on my relatives’ feedback. School had very limited space, but we were very happy to know the number of students in a class is less and hence she will get personal attention. I had been punctually paying the school fees all these years and it went well. After Covid-19 lock down things changed drastically. All other schools started online classes around July 2020, but we got intimation from Sanathana School that they have not planned anything to start the Online Classes, but wanted us to collect all textbooks, for which we had already paid. Also, they confirmed that there would not be any additional fees. They started their online classes very late in October for UKG students. That too, 3 days a week ½ hour each, which is not at all effective. While, all other schools had started their online classes in July and have daily sessions for kids. They had asked us to pay the 9000 Rs as a tuition fee for online classes, which sounded unfair for above mentioned sessions. Also the classes started very late in October only, when other schools had covered half of the portions. We, a group of parents spoke with the school management and requested them to fix an appointment with the principal. They kept saying that the Principal is not coming to the school and will not be able to meet us. We just wanted a 30 mins time from the Principal, which is a genuine ask from the parents and we hold the right to ask. They never bothered to come back to us with a date, but kept giving deadlines to pay the fees of Rs 9000 which was really worrisome. I personally called the school office and reminded about the appointment with Principal. They said, nothing can be done and if I do not pay the fees, my kid will be exempted from the Online classes going forward. We never said that we won’t pay the fees, but we just wanted to let the Principal know the we all have financial crisis and to charge a fair amount of fees. A group of parents also walked up to the school to discuss this. Office staff called the Principal over the phone and handed over the call to us. The response from Principal really shocked us!! Principal was very arrogant and was not ready to listen what we parents had to convey. She was just saying the she needs to pay the salary to teachers. Hence charging this much money from us. Only point we mentioned was: We were ready this much fees if the School had started their well before and increased the class duration or frequency (instead of 3 days a week ½ hour each). Principal speaking as if they were doing some kind of favour by sending class notes to our emails and that it is responsibility of Parents alone to teach kids. She kept saying if you don’t have money, do not expect education from us. I personally decided not to continue my kid’s education in that school just because of this irresponsible arrogant conversation with Principal. As a Principal, atleast she should have conducted a conference call with all parents and tried sorting things instead of defending herself. Finally, I would say I sincerely trust the efficiency of the teachers and the efforts they are taking during this pandemic situation. This is nothing against the teachers, but the arrogance of the Principal. "