School Fee Waiver: A Class 7 student from Gorakhpur has reignited a political storm after her fee waiver request, endorsed by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, was eventually turned down by her school.
Thirteen-year-old Saraswati Shishu Mandir student Pankhuri Tripathi of Pakkibag, Gorakhpur, sought aid after her father, Rajiv Kumar Tripathi, hurt his leg and lost his employment. He was no longer able to pay her school fees of ₹1,650 each month, and arrears of the family had risen to about ₹18,000.
On July 1, Pankhuri visited the CM's "Janata Durbar" and sought an exemption. Moved by her situation and desire to become an IAS officer, Yogi Adityanath promised her: either her fees would be exempted or the amount would be arranged. He even gave her a chocolate, assuring her that her studies would not be disrupted.
But when the family went to the school administration, they informed them that "no such provision" for fee waivers was available. The school warned that concession-giving would put their ability to operate at risk since they have to pay salaries to teachers. Pankhuri disclosed that the school "misbehaved" with them; her father, upset, wept.
The incident attracted criticism across party lines. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav weighed in, accusing the BJP of hypocrisy in its flagship “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” initiative. He offered to personally ensure Pankhuri’s continued education and questioned the government’s sincerity.
Yadav shared an interview of the young girl and wrote, "Those who are busy hoarding, how will they waive or pay someone's fees? Our promise is that a girl's education will not stop. This is the truth behind the BJP's false slogan 'Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter.' A request to BJP members: do not lie to children." (In Hindi)
An official from the Uttar Pradesh education department confirmed that the state has issued a formal communication to the school and expressed optimism about a “positive response,” according to NDTV reports.
