Over 570 private schools across the city have been told to refund the excess fee they charged students over the past two years.
The order by the Directorate of Education, issued on May 16, gave 575 private schools seven days to refund the excess fees, in compliance with a Delhi High Court committee’s reports pertaining to the period between June 2016 and January 2018.
The committee set up by the High Court submitted 10 interim reports to the government, covering 1,169 schools. Of these, the committee identified 575 schools as those that are required to refund excess fees with 9% interest.
“Non-compliance with the order shall be viewed seriously and action shall be taken against errant schools under the provisions of the Delhi School Education Act, 1973, apart from any other commensurate legal action,” the order stated.
Legal options
Sources in the government said the schools will submit compliance reports, following which those who have not will be acted against. Among the legal options available to the government is to take over the schools.