A heated confrontation between a school principal and a parent in Uttar Pradesh’s Hardoi has gone viral, raising concerns that private schools are allegedly forcing parents to buy specific laptops and study materials.
The incident is said to have taken place on April 24, allegedly at Sunbeam School. The video shows Principal Mamta Mishra angrily confronting Neelam Verma’s parents and shouting at her in front of others. The clip, first shared in the school’s WhatsApp group, quickly went viral on social media and drew strong reactions.
What led to the confrontation?
According to Verma, the problem started when she went to pick up her daughter UKG Alisha. She said she had already purchased the required study material, but the school later insisted she buy four additional notebooks worth about ₹1200 from them. When her daughter started coming home without homework because she didn’t have these notebooks, Verma approached the principal and asked for more time.
“I asked her to give me 15 days but she refused to listen to me,” said Verma. She also claimed the headmistress used abusive language, called her “illiterate” and “uncultured” and threatened to remove her child’s name from the school. Verma filed a complaint with the district magistrate through the IGRS portal.
Clarification of the main issues
However, Mishra denied these claims. In a video posted on Facebook, she said her parent pressured her to lower her school fees. She explained that the incident occurred during the vaccination drive and that she asked the parents to discuss the matter later.
“Yes, my language may have been harsh, but nobody knows what happened before that,” she said, adding that the monthly fee for the basic courses is ₹1,300 and questioning whether it was unreasonable.
The incident has angered many parents in the area, with several raising concerns that schools are forcing families to buy expensive books and supplies.
According to a report by India Today, Dr. Ajit Singh Basic Shiksha Adhikari confirmed that a preliminary inquiry has been ordered. A three-member team will investigate and further action will depend on whether any rules or the Right to Education Act have been violated.
For now, the viral video has not only brought one school under scrutiny, but also reignited a broader debate about transparency and accountability in private education.
The video drew massive flak on social media, with many criticizing the principal for her rude and aggressive behavior towards parents.
