Mumbai: After St Lawrence School, Vashi Principal Denies Admission to Single Mom’s Kid, Smriti Irani Raises Issue With HRD Ministry

Vashi, June 15: After a 27-year-old woman confronted a Principal of New Mumbai's St. Lawrence School denying admission to her seven-year-old son on the basis of having a single parent, the Minister of Women and Child Development Smriti Irani has raised the matter with the Ministry of Human Resource Development. Video of St Lawrence School Vashi Principal Denying Admission to a Single Mom’s Kid Goes Viral; Management Says ‘We Do Not Discriminate’.

Sujata Mohite, posted a video of her conversation with the principal of the St Lawrence School who is heard saying that she cannot "handle kids of single parents". The Principal, Saira Kennedy, said that it difficult to handle such children and hence, she cannot give admission. Sujata is a single mother and was seeking her son's admission to St Lawrence School.

Tweet by Smriti Irani:

According to a report in India Today, a month ago, Sujata went to the school with her son for an interview for his admission. The school authorities told them they have passed and then asked her about the child's father. When she told that she is divorced and single mother, the school staff told them that admissions are full.  Delhi High Court Issues Notice to Govt Over Denial of Admission to Students in Govt Schools.

To check the reality, Sujata asked one of her friends to inquire about the admissions which revealed that admission is still on. Shocked and angry over this, she met school principal and recorded the whole conversation. The principal was rude to Sujata and told her "kids of single parents are a problem to the school."

Reacting to the video, a spokesperson of Ryan International School said that the school "does not discriminate in admitting students under any criteria nor do we have any such policy for single parents". He said that the matter is under investigation and appropriate action would be taken.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 15, 2019 04:34 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).