Deputy Chief Minister and Education Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia on Friday announced that private schools are allowed to charge only tuition fee on monthly basis from their students. He also asked schools not to hike fees.
Giving a clear message to private schools for overcharging parents, Sisodia said no other fees like annual fee or transportation fee or under any other head should be charged from them in wake of the pandemic Covid-19.
“We are receiving complaints from many parents that private schools have increased their fees. These schools have also not notified the fee hike to the Delhi Government. Costs like transportation fees are also being added up and demanded by the schools. And those students who are failing to pay the fees on time are being dropped from online classes. I would request the private schools to not come down to this level,” said Sisodia.
Outlining the new directions issued by the Directorate of Education, Delhi Government, Sisodia said, "As per the directions, all private schools are hereby informed that they will not increase their fees under any head without a prior approval by the Delhi Government. Only tuition fee can be charged from the students on monthly basis. Schools cannot ask for three months fees at a time. And online classes facilities will not be stopped or terminated by private schools for students even if they fail to pay their fees. All students will have access to online learning facilities provided by their individual schools, even if they fail to pay the tuition fee."
The order, issued by the Delhi Government is in compliance with the National Disaster Management Act and the Delhi School Education Act.
Sisodia advised the private schools to take it seriously and asked the schools to release full salaries of their employees on time. "All schools are directed to release full salaries of their staff on time including teaching and non-teaching staff. This order, issued by the Delhi Government applies to all permanent, contractual and outsourced employees of the schools. Those schools which are not complying with this order will be booked under Delhi School Education Act and National Disaster Management Act," he said.