Child rights body NCPCR summons BYJU’s CEO over malpractice allegations
The firm allegedly indulges in malpractices to lure parents and children to buy their courses
The NCPCR asked Raveendran to appear in person on December 23
The child rights body National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has summoned Byju Raveendran, CEO of ed-tech firm BYJU’S, to appear in person before the commission over allegations that the firm is involved in malpractices to attract students and parents to buy their courses.
The NCPCR has taken measures following a news article that appeared a few days ago. The report said that the ed-tech firm is pushing customers to enter into loan-based agreements and thus exploiting them. Byju Raveendran should appear before the commission on December 23. He will be asked to produce details of the courses such as the structure of the courses, fee details, the number of students currently enrolled in each course and the refund policy of BYJU’S. Byju should also produce relevant documents related to the company.
According to NCPCR, the company did not reply to the complaints received from parents either. “Indulging into malpractices to attract the parents or children to enter into loan-based agreements and then causing exploitation is against the welfare of children and in pursuance of the functions and powers under sections 13 and 14 of CPCR Act, 2005,” observed the commission.
If Byju Raveendran fails to appear before the commission, he will be subjected to the consequences of non-attendance, the commission added. BYJU’S reaped maximum profit and attracted investments from around the world during the Covid-19 pandemic period, a time when educational institutions remained closed. However, the success began to fade as schools reopened and the global economy started to blur. BYJU’S reported a loss of Rs 4,564 cr in September for the FY2021 with revenue falling three per cent.
