Pune: St Helena’s School Drops Rs 30,000 Admission Fee for LKG After MNS Protest

Pune’s St Helena’s School has revoked the Rs 30,000 admission fee for students moving from nursery to LKG following protests by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) members. The fee waiver was announced in a notice signed by the principal on March 28.

Parents had raised concerns about being asked to pay the admission fee again despite having paid it the previous year. “We were told last year that this was a one-time fee. When we were asked to pay again, we complained to the Pune Municipal Corporation, but no action was taken, so we approached the MNS,” said a parent.

On March 25, MNS vice-president Dhananjay Dalvi and other party members protested at the school. “Around 20-25 parents came to us, stating that they were being charged an admission fee again. After we protested and met the principal, the school decided to revoke the fee,” Dalvi said.

According to the school’s notice, parents who have already paid the amount can collect a cheque or adjust it in the next year’s fee.

One parent emphasized the importance of a clear fee structure, stating, “Admission fees should be a one-time charge. If we didn’t act now, the school could demand this fee every year.”