Govt. to look into charges against American International School

School collected exorbitant fees, says DMK MLA

The Tamil Nadu government would look into allegations that the American International School, originally started for education of children of expatriates in Chennai, was not honouring the conditions on which it was allotted 12.5 acres of land in a prime location at Taramani, Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam informed the Legislative Assembly on Monday.

School Education Minister K.A. Sengottaiyan too said that the State government would check as to whether the conditions laid down for granting the land to the school administration was being adhered to. Mr. Panneerselvam said: “If the conditions are not met, the State government can take back the land.”

‘Not abiding by orders’

The Ministers’ statements in the House were on the contentions made by DMK MLA Palanivel Thiagarajan (Madurai Central) that the American International School was not abiding by the orders of various Departments of the State government.

“When a prime land in Taramani which would be valued between ₹800 to ₹900 crore was granted to the school, which is not abiding by the orders, why cannot the government take it back?” Mr. Thiagarajan asked.

The DMK MLA claimed that the American International School collected exorbitant fees and many of the expatriates were not able to pay the fees, the school is eventually admitting Indian students, who could afford the fees.

Mr. Thiagarajan also admitted that his children too were studying in the school initially but he withdrew them later.

Minister’s assurance

Mr. Sengottaiyan said that the government would also look into the allegation that the school was collecting fees in excess of what was fixed by a committee headed by a retired High Court judge. Mr. Thiagarajan said the school collected ₹28 lakh for admission in the first year and ₹20 lakh annually thereof.

Stalin’s charge

DMK president and Leader of the Opposition M.K. Stalin too joined the debate to claim that several organisations which have been granted land by the State government were misusing the premises.

Mr. Panneerselvam said the government would look into all those complaints and take action.