Delhi government takes over two branches of private school

In a first of its kind move, the Delhi government on Wednesday took over the management of two branches of a private school for violating education department norms.

The government took prior approval from the Lt. Governor's Office.

"Rohini and Pitampura branches of Maxfort School have been taken over by the government. A team led by the SDM of the area along with the officials of the Education Department reached both the branches of the school in the morning and completed the process," a government official told IANS.

The official said the action was initiated against the School following complaints like violation of rules in admission to candidates from economically weaker sections (EWS), false records and misappropriation of funds, among others.

The school had violated norm of the Delhi School Education (DSE) Act 1973 and Right to Education Act (RTE) 2009.

"After receiving the complaints the Education Directorate had served show cause notice to the school in April but the school administration failed to give us satisfactory reply. Then with an approval from the Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung yesterday (Tuesday), the government took over the school on Wednesday," the official said.

Chadha Educational Society and S. Jagat Singh Chadha Charitable Trust run the school which has three branches in the national capital.

IANS made several attempts to contact the school authorities over phone but there was no response.

In the notice served to the two branches of Maxfort School, the education department had asked why it should not take over the management for violation of norms governing admission of EWS children, keeping false records and misappropriating funds.

The Delhi government had constituted two committees to look into the complaints against the school. One was formed under the department of education and the other under the District Magistrate (DM) of north-west Delhi.

--IANS

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