Delhi private school to parents: Need to hike fee, else can’t pay teachers

Reacting to the move, Delhi Education Minister Manish Sisodia told The Indian Express that the government might “take over the school or cancel its recognition” among other measures.

The school is one of 301 establishments in Delhi built on land given to them by government authorities, such as the Delhi Development Authority, at concessional rates.

According to the established norms, these schools cannot implement any fee hike without permission from the Delhi government’s Directorate of Education (DoE). Any proposed fee hike can be implemented only with the department’s approval, after an audit of the school’s accounts.

The increased fee structure which the school had proposed for the year 2017-2018 was not approved by the DoE. The school has said its proposed fee structures for 2018-2019 and 2020 are still pending approval with DoE.

The school, in its letter, said the increased amount is “only the differential amount required to be paid, had you been charged the 2019-2020 fee”. Parents have been asked to pay the supplementary fee in two installments — the first within 10 days of receipt of the supplementary bill, and the second by December 21.

The Delhi Parents’ Association has estimated that the hike will be around Rs 25,000 for every parent.

School principal Veena Goel did not comment when contacted by The Indian Express.