Delhi: Parents protest fee hike by private schools, seek clarity on rebate

NEW DELHI: Fee hikes by private schools have prompted parents to take to the streets in protest. On Tuesday, irked parents of students studying in Delhi Public School, Mathura Road, and Dwarka alleged the schools had arbitrarily increased the fees.
In some other schools, the management and parents are locking horns over whether the court-ordered 15% rebate is meant only for the annual and development charges or the tuition fees as well.
The parents now want Delhi government to clarify on Delhi High Court’s order. During the pandemic closure, private schools were prohibited from charging the annual and development fees. After they reopened, they moved the high court, which allowed schools to receive the annual and development charges but directed a 15% rebate.
Sunita Tanwar and Reema Sharma, principals, respectively, of DPS Dwarka and DPS Mathura Road did not respond to calls and messages from TOI.
Nidhi Gupta, a social activist and Dwarka resident, claimed, “The school told the parents that their children would not be allowed into the school complex if the fee wasn’t paid. Nothing was given in writing to the parents, however.” Gupta also took up the matter with area MLA Gulab Singh.
The parents’ protest at DPS Mathura Road was supported by the Delhi unit of BJP. Aparajita Gautam of Delhi Parents Association said, “Till the school doesn’t refund the arbitrary fees it has charged, we will continue to fight. Delhi government has reiterated it hasn’t allowed schools to increase fees, but these schools are not abiding by the rules.”
At GD Goenka School, however, the parents were confused about the rebate. “At the school, we are told the rebate is only on the annual and development charges. But we hear it is supposed to be on the tuition fees too.” Delhi government is yet to respond to the request for clarity.