2 days ago
DPS parents plan Jantar Mantar protest over fee hike
New Delhi: Parents of students at Delhi Public School (DPS), Dwarka, plan to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar this Saturday in response to what they describe as an unauthorised fee hike and "persistent harassment of students", despite repeated govt orders to the contrary.
The parents are demanding justice and accountability for their children's rights, asserting that though the directorate of education and govt issued directives over the years, no effective measures were implemented. They allege that affected students continue to be denied access to their classrooms.
Delhi High Court recently ruled that students whose names were removed from the school rolls due to non-payment of the increased fees must be allowed to attend classes, provided they pay 50% of the additional fees from the academic year 2024-25.
This ruling came following a petition filed by over 100 parents.
"We are willing to comply with the court's order. However, the school's calculation of the 50% amount is significantly inflated. For example, if the fee due is Rs 10,000, they are demanding Rs 14,000," claimed Maheish Mishra, one of the parents. "Because of this discrepancy, we were unable to make payments and are considering legal action for contempt of court."
Mishra said, "The upcoming protest has gathered support from 30 to 40 other schools and various activists who believe that children should not be subjected to such treatment. The school even employed bouncers to prevent students from entering, which is intimidating for adults, let alone children."
The conflict began on May 9 when parents were notified via email that their children were removed from the school's rolls due to unpaid fees, following a fee hike imposed by the school.
According to the parents' petition, the school resorted to coercive tactics over recent years to extract unauthorised fees, including stationing bouncers at the school's gates. The petition also accused the school of violating the terms of its land allotment and repeatedly disregarding DoE directives.
One parent, whose son is in Class XI, expressed his frustration, saying, "Despite assurances from the authorities, our son's name was struck off by the school." Another parent reiterated the demand for a genuine audit, stating, "If a private school seeks to increase fees citing financial losses, it must first undergo a comprehensive forensic audit and an independent audit by CAG, covering both the institution and the organisation under which it operates.
"
The school authorities refused to comment on the issue.
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