Taking coginsance of the arbitrary fee hike by certain private schools in the national Capital, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government has sent de-recognition notice to a private school in East Delhi for not providing free uniform and books to students admitted under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category and directed two schools to roll back fee hike. If the schools do not abide by the order, they will also face de-recognition, according to Government officials.
The Government also issued a stern warning to private schools to desist from arbitrary fee hike. The government has also directed two private schools to roll back fee hike immediately. The direction to the schools came after aggrieved parents met Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during 'Janta Samvad' at the CM's residence.
According to an official release issued by the Chief Minister's office, “The Delhi Government has taken a strong note over arbitrary fee hike and other violations by some private schools in the city. Two private schools have been directed to roll back arbitrary fee hike immediately. De-recognition notice has been sent to one school over violation of rules”.
later, the Chief Minister tweeted, “For the first time in the country, schools are being disciplined. They are not being allowed to hike fees arbitrarily. Many schools are being made to return hiked fees because there is an honest Government in Delhi.”
“The Government took a strong note of the complaints of arbitrary fee hike in violation of the judgment of Supreme Court and High Court and also the directions of the Education department. The schools have also been asked to refund the increased fee to the parents,” the official said.
A complaint was lodged before the Chief Minister against Victor Public school, Maujpur in Trans Yamuna area. The school was not providing free uniform, books & other stationeries to the students belonging to the EWS category. The Chief Minister took a strong note of the serious violation by the school and asked the Department of Education (DoE) to take strict measures.
“DoE issued a notice to the management of Victor Public School, Maujpur to provide books, uniform etc. as per norms but it defied the lawful directions and did not comply. In view of the above, the school has now been served with a de-recognition notice by the Department of Education for violating norms related to the EWS/DG category” the CM said.
The Government has also directed Mahavir Senior Model School, Sangam Park and Queen Mary's Public School, Model Town III to roll back fee hike. The schools could not be reached for their comments on the issue.
“Taking action against the two private schools, Mahavir Senior Model School, Sangam Park and Queen Mary's Public School, Model Town III, the DoE has directed them to immediately roll back the fee hike in the school and refund the increased fee to the parents/guardians of the students with immediate effect otherwise the government will take action”, a government official said.
In another complaint submitted to the Chief Minister during his Janta Samvad, parents informed him of hiked fee being charged by the Bal Bharti Public School, Pitampura in the name of implementation of 7th Central Pay Commission. On directions of the Chief Minister, the school was asked to clarify its position on the complaint.
“Bal Bharti Public School in its reply said that it has not increased any fee during the year 2016-17 and 2017-18. It said that the school will abide by directions & instructions of the education department in this regard. It also said that all extra funds collected have been kept separately and would be adjusted,” read the official statement by the city Government.