Pune: DES-Run Pimpri-Chinchwad School Faces Backlash Over Fee-Related Humiliation of Students

Pimpri-Chinchwad, 27th August 2025: The Hindustan Antibiotics School, a government-aided institution run by the Deccan Education Society (DES), is under scrutiny after allegations surfaced that students were publicly humiliated over unpaid school fees.

Students Allegedly Singled Out
Parents claim that a 7th-grade teacher reportedly took photographs of students who had not yet paid their fees and made them stand before the class. The images were then circulated in the school’s WhatsApp group, leaving both the children and their families embarrassed.

A total of 13 students were affected, including seven boys and six girls. The school charges approximately Rs. 6,000 in fees, and being a government-aided institution, any fee collection is required to be within the limits approved by regulatory authorities.

Parents Speak Out
Several parents shared emotional accounts of the incident. One parent said, “My child informed me that the teacher had asked for fees. I explained that I would pay as soon as possible. But the school threatened my child, saying he wouldn’t be allowed to sit for exams. This kind of discrimination is upsetting.”

Another parent added, “My child returned home in tears, repeatedly being pressured to pay fees. The school did not contact me directly—they targeted the student. We are responsible parents, but financial issues can arise. The school should be understanding.”

A third parent commented, “Even if we are late in paying the Rs. 6,000 fees, this is not the way to treat children. Schools are supposed to be safe spaces, and such humiliation can have lasting effects on their emotional well-being.”

PCMC Promises Action
The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s Education Department has vowed to investigate. Assistant Project Officer Vilas Patil said, “The complaint was received on Tuesday afternoon through the Republican Party of India. If the school is found to have charged fees improperly or treated students this way, we will take strict action, including revoking the school’s license. Such behavior is unacceptable.”

Attempts to reach the school administration for comment were unsuccessful. Sources indicate that the administration has made communication with PCMC officials difficult.

Legacy of Hindustan Antibiotics School
Founded in 1958 to serve the children of Hindustan Antibiotics Limited employees and local low-income families, the HA School has a long-standing reputation. Its foundation stone was laid by former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and inaugurated by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Over the decades, the school has produced numerous notable alumni, making it a prominent institution in Pimpri-Chinchwad.