A Mumbai parent, Prashant Penkar, has sought an independent inquiry into alleged fee irregularities and student welfare concerns at St. Anthony’s Girls School, Secondary Section, in Chembur. Penkar said he submitted complaints on 18 June and 14 July 2026 and filed an RTI application on 30 June. He has questioned the collection of charges for activities and educational materials, including robotics and language examinations. Penkar has also sought details of the inquiry status and requested verification of the school’s fee records, accounts and use of government grants.
Parent Seeks Probe Into Alleged Irregularities at St. Anthony’s Girls School secondary section, Chembur, Mumbai 71
A Mumbai parent has sought an impartial inquiry into alleged fee irregularities, student welfare concerns and delays by education authorities at St. Anthony’s Girls School secondary section, Chembur, Mumbai 71.
Mumbai parent Prashant Penkar has sought an independent investigation into alleged irregularities at St. Anthony’s Girls School, Secondary Section, Chembur, Mumbai–71, a privately managed government-aided school.
Penkar said he filed his first complaint on 18 June 2026, an RTI application on 30 June, and a second complaint on 14 July 2026.
According to Penkar, the Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the Deputy Director of Education, Charni Road, corresponded with Education Inspector Mushtaq Shaikh.
He said that correspondence, dated 4 August 2026, concerned his complaints, but alleged he has received no official phone call, message, email or written update.
Penkar has requested a written status report explaining whether an inquiry was conducted, what action was taken, and why communication regarding his complaints allegedly remained pending.
Fee collection and transparency questions
The complaints question school fee collection, official receipts and financial transparency, including charges linked to Scout and Guide activities, Extra Sports Day and Rashtrabhasha examinations.
Penkar alleged parents lacked written clarity on whether Marathi and Hindi Rashtrabhasha examinations were optional, while also questioning how examination-related charges were authorised and collected.
He also sought clarification on a ₹2,000 robotics charge per student, a ₹355 English grammar book, Teachers’ Welfare Fund, repair, maintenance and other school charges.
The complaints additionally question the Parent-Teacher Association’s role, parental consent in fee decisions, and whether the school transparently disclosed the collection and utilisation of funds.
Penkar claimed annual fees amount to ₹19,850 per student and estimated that, with about 1,400 students, projected annual collections could total approximately ₹2.78 crore.
He acknowledged that figure is preliminary and unverified, requesting authorities examine actual enrolment, approved fees, concessions, receipts, bank records, audited accounts and government grant utilisation.
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Student welfare allegations raised
The press note also raises student-welfare concerns, including allegations involving girls applying mehendi, playground conditions, access to water and rest, and treatment before school examinations.
Penkar alleged government-supplied Balbharati textbooks were taken back before a re-test and questioned whether appropriate remedial classes were available for students diagnosed with Learning Disabilities.
He further alleged students were asked to bring food from home for sale to other students, while seeking clarity about how money from such activities was accounted.
Other concerns include an alleged absence of a parent complaint box, an outdated school website, and insufficient contact information for parents seeking effective grievance redressal.
Applicable laws and demands for official action
Penkar has sought official examination under the Maharashtra Educational Institutions (Prohibition of Capitation Fee) Act, 1987 and Maharashtra Educational Institutions (Regulation of Fees) Act, 2011.
He also cited the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, child-protection provisions, and Sections 316 and 318 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Whether those provisions apply would depend on evidence, the nature of any proven conduct and findings made by competent authorities after an impartial and legally compliant investigation.
Penkar urged the Government of Maharashtra, School Education Department and senior authorities to independently audit fees, receipts, bank records, accounts, grant utilisation and complaint-handling procedures.
He also sought scrutiny of Education Inspector Mushtaq Shaikh’s handling of the complaints, an independent child-rights inquiry, and refunds where any unlawful fee collection is established.
He asked media organisations to obtain responses from the school management and concerned officials. Sprouts News treats the allegations as unproven unless established through competent investigation.
Penkar said his aim is transparency, not defamation, and demanded written answers, official receipts, transparent fee collection, and an effective grievance mechanism protecting students and families.
A representative of Sprouts News contacted the school principal, Sister Olinda Fernandes, seeking her response to the allegations raised in this report. Her comments were not available at the time of publication. This report will be updated if and when her response is received.
