600 schools inspected, Delhi education dept issues notices to 11 over ‘fee hike’

In recent weeks, the fee hike issue has come under the spotlight as several parents of children studying in prominent schools held widespread demonstrations against “commercialisation of education”. On Wednesday morning, parents of students of 14 private schools gathered in front of the Education Department office to demand an “affordable and accessible education”.

On Tuesday, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta directed the Education Department to take strict action against private schools found violating rules and indulging in “unjustified” fee collection. Education Minister Ashish Sood also announced an audit of all private schools.

To investigate the matter of arbitrary fee hikes, the Directorate of Education (DoE) had tasked committees led by sub-divisional magistrates to inspect all private unaided recognised schools — including those against which complaints have been received in the Directorate — in their respective areas.

In a statement on Wednesday, the education department said more than 600 private recognised unaided schools have been inspected. “Show cause notices are being issued to schools found guilty of non-compliance; further punitive measures, including withdrawal of recognition and takeover of the school management, are being taken up on a case-by-case basis. Further, the said schools are directed to withdraw arbitrary fee hikes with immediate effect,” it added.

Sources said the following schools have been issued notices: Arwachin Bharti Bhawan Senior Secondary School in Vivek Vihar; The Srijan School, Queen Mary’s School, Guru Tegh Bahadur Public School in Model Town; Mira Model School in Janakpuri; Lancer’s Convent in Rohini; Saroj Montessori School in Vivek Vihar; Geeta Bal Bharti Senior Secondary School in Seelampur; Greenland Public School in Vikas Nagar; St Gregorios School in Dwarka; and Puneet Public School in Vishwas Nagar.

The department reiterated in its statement: “All private recognised unaided schools must comply with statutory regulations concerning fee hikes [under the Delhi School Education Act and Rules, 1973] and ensure complete transparency in fee-related communication with parents.”

The inspections are also verifying compliance with the Right to Education Act, 2009. Under this, schools have to mandatorily provide free textbooks, uniforms and writing material to all students under the economically weaker section, disadvantaged groups and children with special needs categories. “Non-compliance with these provisions is a serious violation and is being closely monitored during the inspection process,” read the statement.