The School Education and Literacy Department’s order to collect ₹100 monthly donation from government school children drew opposition from various sections including Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah, student organizations and educationists.
In a series of tweets, Siddaramaiah said, “The government has targeted poor students of government schools. After robbing 40 percent commission from the government treasury, now they want to rob the parents too. Our government provided milk, cooked food, uniform-shoes, Vidyasiri and hostel facility to the students. This government took them back one by one and now wants to take their money too. Therefore, the education department should immediately withdraw the order of depositing money from the parents.”
In a press statement, VP Niranjanaradhya, an educationist, said the circular to collect donations from students and parents is “unconstitutional”.
The All India Democratic Students Organization (AIDSO) and Students Federation on India (SFI) urged the government to withdraw the order immediately.