Delhi govt orders school to rollback fee hike

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Days after Delhi government had pulled up two branches of DPS schools ordering them to rollback the fee hike, similar order was issued today to GD Salwan Public School in Rajinder Nagar area in the city.
The move came after 250 parents had met Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia alleging that the school has increased the fee by 12 per cent for entry level classes and by 10 per cent for senior classes without seeking prior sanction from the government.
Other allegations levelled by the parents included charging of fee for mid-day meals, forcing parents to buy books of private publishers and use school transport to ferry their children to school and charging economically weaker section (EWS) students on account of books and uniforms among others.

"The management of the Salwan Public Schools is directed to refund the enhanced fee to the parents collected so far for the academic session 2016-17 and submit a clarification on fixing the excess fees from nursery class in comparison with other classes," Directorate of Education (DoE) Director Saumya Gupta said in a communication to the school.
"The school shall not force parents to buy books of private publishers or from fixed vendors. No amount should be charged from EWS students on account of books and uniform and the school should also constitute a parent-teacher association," the order further read.
Citing rules, the order said all private unaided recognised schools built on land alloted by DDA/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 has also been directed to send compliance reports within seven days and has warned them 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 had last week issued orders to Rohini and Mathura Road branches of Delhi Public School 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.