SHILLONG, May 28: The Shillong Pastorate of All Saints Cathedral has clarified that the decision by All Saints’ Diocesan Higher Secondary School, Shillong, to implement a mandatory School Development Fee was taken unilaterally by the Principal and the School Management without consulting the Church.
In a letter addressed to Education Minister Rakkam A. Sangma, the secretary of the Shillong Pastorate, AS Kharpuri, stated that the school was originally established as part of the Church’s mission and service through the All Saints’ Cathedral, Shillong.
“However, in the present context, it may be clarified that the decision of the School Management regarding the mandatory School Development Fee was taken unilaterally by the Principal and the School Management without consulting the Church,” Kharpuri reiterated.
He further emphasised that this clarification is being issued to dispel any impression that the Church is involved in or supports the decision.
Earlier, parents of students at All Saints’ Diocesan Higher Secondary School had voiced strong opposition to the school’s recent directive mandating a payment of Rs 3,000 per student towards the School Development Fund (SDF).
In a letter addressed to the Principal, and referencing the circular issued on April 28, the parents expressed their concern and disapproval of the decision taken by the school authorities.
“We wish to respectfully express our concern over the imposition of the School Development Fund on parents. Given the current financial challenges many of us are facing, this additional expense is becoming increasingly difficult to manage,” the letter stated.
While acknowledging the importance of maintaining and upgrading school infrastructure, the parents stressed that such financial decisions should be made transparently and only after prior consultation and consent from the parent community.
