After sending notices to at least three private schools over fee hike, the Delhi government has asked schools to seek prior sanction before doing so.
The government has directed all private schools here to seek permission from the Directorate of Education (DoE) if they wish to increase the fee and submit a detailed proposal. The DoE had recently sent notices to two branches of Delhi Public School (Rohini and Mathura Road), and Kalka Public School, Alaknanda, asking them to roll back the hike.
Delhi Education Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who has been tightening the noose on private schools, on Monday tweeted: “It’s ‘School Vs Teaching Shops’! I fully support schools but nt teaching shops, till they start working as schools [sic].”
He had directed the DoE to take action against “errant” schools that have not just hiked the fees, but also “compelled” students to buy books from private publishers.
“All heads of private unaided recognised schools allotted land by land-owning agencies on the condition of seeking prior sanction from the DoE for increase in fee are directed to submit their proposals, if any, for prior sanction for the academic session 2016-17,” DoE Director Saumya Gupta said in a communication to private schools.
The proposals have to be submitted on the DoE’s website by May 31, following which they will be scrutinised by a team of officials. As key documents, the schools will have to submit 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.
“In case the schools have already charged increased fee prior to issue of this order, the same shall be liable to be adjusted by the schools in terms of sanction by the DoE. In case no proposal is submitted by the school, it shall not increase the fee and any increased fee already charged shall be refunded/ adjusted by it,” the letter further added.
Citing a Delhi High Court ruling, the communication said all private unaided recognised schools built on land allotted by the Delhi Development Authority/other government agencies at concessional rates or otherwise will not increase tuition fee without prior permission of the Directorate.
Detailed proposals seeking hike have to be submitted on DoE’s website by May 31
