UP Schoolgirl cries over missing exam due to not paying fees, Video garners attention

Uttar Pradesh: In a video shared by BJP MP Varun Gandhi, a schoolgirl in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao district was seen weeping over fees. The private school, Bal Vidya Mandir, denied her permission to attend an exam over non-payment of fee.

The BJP leader said education is not a business and asked private educational institutes to not forget humanity. He also held government officials and elected representatives "morally responsible" for the school student's situation. The incident took place in a rural town called Tolar near Bangarmau.

Sharing the video on Twitter, he wrote: "The tears of this daughter show the pain of lakhs of children who have to face humiliation over non-payment of fees. It is the moral responsibility of officials and public representatives of every district to ensure that financial constraints do not hinder the education of children."

A group of students was seen standing outside the school gate after missing the mid-year exam on Monday. The 6th standard student Apoorva Singh said: "I told the school management that papa will come today with the fee but they pushed us out."

After the video got the attention of the public and politicians, a local BJP leader cleared Apoorva's pending fees from October to March which was Rs 3,000. At least, 10 students were removed from the school building for not paying fees. It was not immediately known which class other students belong to and how much fees they have pending.

Due to public pressure, the school management has agreed to conduct another exam for the students. The local administration has launched an inquiry.