Delhi govt orders another school to rollback fee hike

Continuing its crackdown on private schools which have been raising fees arbitrarily, Delhi government today ordered another prominent school to roll back the fee hike and refund the excess amount collected.
The directives to KR Manglam School, Vikaspuri were issued after 228 parents had written to Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia complaining about the hike.
Other allegations raised by parents in the letter to Sisodia included improper water facility, maintenance of hygiene in washrooms, threatening guardians of striking off names of students if the hiked fee is not paid, among others.
"In view of the violation of various provisions of the Delhi School Education Act 1973, the management committee of KR Mangalam World school is directed to refund the alleged enhanced fee to parents collected so far, not to enhance any fee without prior approval from government and create sufficient infrastructure facilities in the school," Directorate of Education (DoE) said in a letter to the school principal.

"The school is also directed to appoint special educators. The authorities should not compel parents to buy books, uniform or stationary from the school's shop/counter," the letter further said.
Citing rules, the order said all private unaided recognised schools built on land alloted by DDA or other government agencies on concessional rates or otherwise shall not increase tuition fee without prior permission of the Directorate.

The management committees of the school have also been directed to send compliance reports within seven days and warned of action under Delhi School Education Act and Rules, 1973.
Meanwhile, the school authorities could not be reached for their comments on the issue.

The government has so far issued orders to Rohini and Mathura Road branches of Delhi Public School and GD Salwan Public School, Rajender Nagar directing them to rollback the fee hike and refund the excess amount collected.
The private schools in the national capital have been asked to submit their proposals of fee hike to DoE for prior sanction latest by May 7.
Key documents including details of receipts and payment account, income and expenditure account, balance sheet for the years 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 along with budget estimates for the ensuing year, statement of salary disbursed to staff, and detail of all funds-- reserve, general and gratuity, also need to be submitted by the schools.