Schools denying TC citing fee dues under Madras HC fire – Times of India

CHENNAI: Schools that refuse to issue transfer certificates (TC) to students citing unpaid fee or any other reason will face contempt of court, said Madras high court.
Justice N Anand Venkatesh has made it clear that schools should independently workout remedies for such issues in the manner known to law, but the same can never be a reason to deny issuance of TC. “Students/parents must have absolute freedom to take a decision regarding the continuation of the education in the existing school or to get transfer to any other school. If any student applies for TC, the same must be issued within a one week from the date of receipt of the application,” the judge said.
If any school refuses to issue TC, a complaint can be made to the Chief Educational Officer (CEO) concerned and action shall be taken for violation of this order.
It shall be ensured that TC is issued to the student. If any such violation is brought to the notice of this court, this court will also initiate suo motu contempt proceedings against the school concerned for violation of the directions issued by this court, the judge added.
Justice Anand Venkatesh also made it clear that the directions are issued taking into consideration the pandemic situation and as and when the normalcy is restored, the enactments and regulations will take care of the transfer of students from one school to another.
The court also directed the commissioner of school education to issue a circular in this regard to all the schools within two weeks.
The court passed the orders on a plea moved by the United District Self Financing Schools Association, represented by its president S Prince Babu Rajendran.
The association wanted the court to forbear the school education department from permitting schools in admitting students s without transfer certificate from the members of the petitioner association where the students previously studied.