Fee row: Minister steps in, Saket school issues admit cards to 3 students

New Delhi: Following education minister Asish Sood's intervention, Apeejay School, Saket, issued admit cards to its three students on Monday. They were earlier denied the admit card over alleged non-payment of fees. After the latest development, Sood asserted that no school would be permitted to resort to coercive measures for fee recovery. "The education department is engaging with school managements, senior officials and parents to ensure that such disputes do not disrupt students' education. Every child in Delhi is our own, whether they study in private or govt schools," he added. Earlier in the day, the minister said Directorate of Education would ensure that students were able to take their exams. Parents of some students also staged a protest outside the campus.The latest case had come to light after the school denied entry and the admit card to a Class X student allegedly over dues following increases in fees. In an email to the school administration, the parent said they had visited the campus with their daughter to collect the admit card, but were allegedly not allowed to enter the premises.The principal had written to the parent earlier referring to a letter sent on Feb 6 regarding the "clearance of outstanding fee dues of Rs 6,52,037 for issuance of admit card to your ward". The principal pointed out, "It is not a case for denial of entry but a clear request and update that the admit card will be issued immediately once you clear the outstanding amount as detailed. Numerous reminders have been sent to you for the same."Following the parent's latest email, the school had issued a statement outlining its position on the clearance of outstanding fees for the issuance of admit cards. "The present issue pertains to outstanding school fees amounting to nearly Rs 21.3 lakh of four students, with dues pending for a period of two years for one Class XII student and for rest for a period of five years," the school had stated, adding that all other 147 parents of students of Class X and XII have been paying the fees. "The concerns (are) now being raised by parent of three students out of a total of 151 students of Class X and XII," it added. In a similar situation in 2024, the school stated, Delhi High Court had directed the parents concerned to clear the full outstanding fees prior to the issuance of admit cards, following which the dues were paid and the admit cards were issued. "The school applies its policies uniformly and without discrimination. At the same time, we remain sensitive to genuine cases of financial hardship and have extended scholarships and support wherever warranted." According to sources, data shows that for the academic year 2022-23, the school raised fees by 10%, of which a 5% increase was approved by DoE with effect from April 1, 2023. For 2023-24, the school said it implemented a 10% fee hike without intervention from DoE. Similarly, for 2024-25, it planned another 10% increase, again without objections or action from the education authorities.